Distilled Water and Filtered Water
Clean water is taken for granted by the rest of us until we begin to wonder what's actually in our glass.
Filling up at the tap, using a high-end filter pitcher, or purchasing jugs of distilled water at the store, it comes back to the same simple question: What are we really drinking?
You’ve probably heard people say filtered water is “just as good” as distilled water, or maybe even better. But are they really the same?
The short answer is: no. While both types aim to make water safer and cleaner, the way they’re processed and what gets removed (or left behind) are very different.
This article breaks down the concept in simple terms. We’ll walk through what filtered water is, how it’s made, and how that compares to distilled water.
We’ll examine the pros and cons of each, including what they remove (or don’t), and when one might be a better choice than the other, whether you’re drinking it, cooking with it, or using it in your appliances.
If you’ve ever been confused by labels or unsure which kind of water to trust, this will clear things up. No jargon, no fluff. It's just real talk about water.
What Is Filtered Water?
Filtered water is just what the name implies. It's tap water or some other source of water that has been passed through a filter to remove impurities. The aim is to enhance the taste, odor, and overall quality of the water, making it safer and more enjoyable for human consumption.
The various types of filtration systems exist, but the most common among them are:
Activated carbon filters (charcoal filters)
These work well to eliminate chlorine, bad tastes, and volatile chemicals. They're commonly installed in pitcher filters and faucet mounts.
Reverse osmosis systems
These employ a semipermeable membrane to strip away a broad spectrum of toxic contaminants, such as heavy metals, bacteria, and chemical disinfectants.
UV filters
These don't filter out particles but utilize ultraviolet light to destroy bacteria, viruses, algae, and fungi.
Mechanical filters
These traps remove physical detritus such as sand, rust, and dirt from metal pipes or the incoming water supply.
All of these techniques can eliminate some contaminants, but no one filter catches everything. That's why some homes have multi-stage systems that combine several types of purification.
Filtered water will normally retain useful minerals such as calcium and magnesium.
These are the essential minerals that support oral health, bone density, and overall body function. It also reduces limescale in appliances and plumbing.
If you’re asking, “Is filtered water the same as distilled water?” This is where the line starts to show. Filtered water improves water quality, but it’s not stripped of its essential elements.
That’s a job for distilled water, which is a whole different level of purity.
What Is Distilled Water?
Distilled water is often referred to as the cleanest drinking water in the world, and it is not hard to see why. It's purified with a very precise method called distillation, which eliminates nearly all impurities, like natural minerals, heavy metals, and even most viruses and bacteria.
Here is a brief explanation of how distillation works:
You boil water to produce steam, gather it, and then recondense it. The hypothesis is that pure water vapor boils and recondenses only, leaving behind the rest, i.e., dissolved salts, chemicals, and organic impurities.
What remains is very pure water, even too pure to be used for drinking purposes on a day-to-day basis if you rely on it as your sole source.
Since it also draws out good minerals and bad impurities, distilled water is extremely tasteless. They say it tastes "empty." It is thus utilized for medical use, in laboratories, or in appliances such as steam irons and CPAP machines, where mineral deposits would be dangerous.
So, again, if you’re wondering, “Is filtered water the same as distilled water?” The answer is definitely no.
They both aim to purify water, but distilled or purified water from distillation goes to an extreme level that removes almost everything, including beneficial minerals your body might actually need.
All that being said, purified water is fine to drink, particularly if you only need it short-term or where you don't want to risk the chance of even possible slight contamination.
However, for extended mineral intake and overall hydration, most just use filtered water, spring water, or purified bottled water, which keeps those minerals in the water.
Key Differences Between Filtered and Distilled Water
If you’ve ever wondered, “Is filtered water the same as distilled water?” This is where the real differences show up. While both undergo a purification process, they do so in distinctly different ways and with varying results. Let’s break it down.
Purity
When it comes to removing contaminants, distilled water outperforms most filter systems. Water is heated and vaporized using distillation, then condensed back into liquid form.
After that, all contaminants, including heavy metals, bacteria, viruses, volatile chemicals, and even organic compounds, are left behind. What does one get? Highly pure water, or demineralized water as it's most commonly referred to.
Conversely, water treated in reverse osmosis units or activated carbon still eliminates a broad spectrum of particulate contaminants, such as chlorine, chemical disinfectants, and cationic chemicals, but may not be able to trap everything that distillation can.
That is a significant distinction. Filtered water will contain good minerals such as magnesium and calcium. They are good minerals that benefit oral health and also allow your body to function best.
Distilled or purified water removes everything, including beneficial minerals, leaving pure-tasting drinking water. However, trace minerals are not present in the same quantities as those found in spring water or mineral water.
Taste and Odor
Since filtered water leaves behind the minerals, it will taste more natural and more full-bodied. It's what most people drink every day, often referred to as drinking water.
Distilled water tastes "flat" or metallic to some individuals. It's not terrible, just unique. The absence of minerals and the stripping away of objectionable tastes leave a neutral, sometimes hollow taste.
Process and Cost
Charcoal filter-based filtration systems, reverse osmosis, or a combination of both are more cost-effective and convenient.
Distillation is a labor-intensive process and can increase your power bill because it involves heating and then refrigerating the water.
Distillation also needs to be cleaned regularly to prevent mineral deposits from accumulating.
Common Uses
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Filtered water is ideal for human consumption, especially when compared to city tap water.
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Distilled water is best used for steam irons, CPAP machines, and individuals with compromised immune systems who require water that is ultra-safe to drink.
Health Implications
Perhaps the most common question I receive is: "Is it okay to drink distilled water every day?" The short reply: yes, with a couple of provisos.
Let's get this clear. Purified water is really distilled water. Not only has it been sterilized, but it has also been stripped of its natural minerals.
What that really means is that if you're drinking only distilled water, you won't be receiving any of the beneficial minerals your body would otherwise receive from tap water, spring water, or some filtered water.
Is that bad for you? No. Most of the minerals you receive are obtained through your food, rather than your water. However, if you're consistently drinking distilled or purified water without receiving proper nutrients in your food, it may be a problem.
Distilled water has also been shown to have a bit more tooth decay, perhaps because it does not contain fluoride.
Another myth that needs to be exploded: "Distilled water steals minerals from your body." This's been going around for decades, and it has absolutely no scientific merit whatsoever.
Your body won't lose any minerals because you're drinking demineralized water. It just won't remove anything from the water.
Conversely, water filtered from well-planned reverse osmosis units or activated carbon plants may have an acceptable ratio.
It will eliminate pernicious impurities, such as bacteria, algae, fungi, and parasites, while leaving some beneficial minerals intact, depending on the treatment processes involved.
But don't presume filtered water is safe to begin with, either. If your filter is not cleaned frequently or your water supply was severely contaminated, your filtered water may not be performing as well as you expect.
Bottom line: both filtered and distilled water have their uses when it comes to refining the water's quality. Be aware of the trade-offs and understand how each option benefits you and your lifestyle and health requirements.
Environmental and Practical Considerations
When comparing filtered water and distilled water, it's not always about being clean. It's also about the impact they have on your wallet, on your appliances, and even on the planet.
Let’s start with energy use. The distillation process requires boiling water until it turns to steam and then cooling it back to a liquid state.
This requires time and a significant amount of electricity. If you’re distilling water regularly at home, you’ll likely notice it in your energy bills.
Filtration systems, however, particularly charcoal filters or reverse osmosis systems, consume relatively little electricity. They remove impurities using pressure, gravity, or semipermeable membranes, so they are a more energy-efficient solution for the majority of families.
Although waste filtration is worth noting, pitcher filters and RO units must also be replaced eventually, which generates yet more plastic trash, particularly if you use them frequently or heavily rely on purified bottled water in plastic bottles.
For use with appliances, distilled or purified water is the most preferred. In devices such as CPAP machines, humidifiers, or steam irons, filtered or tap water will ultimately lead to mineral deposit formation. Distilled water, with no natural minerals, keeps these appliances cleaner and more durable.
Ultimately, filtered water systems may be more affordable to use on a daily basis, particularly if your water source is already treated. However, for certain applications where water of the highest purity cannot be compromised, distilled water is often sufficient, regardless of the increased upfront expense.
Bottom line? It's not really a question of what's safe to drink, but what's convenient, too.
When to Use Distilled Water vs. Filtered Water
Is filtered water the same as distilled water? Not on your life. And it can save you money, keep you healthy, and even extend the life of your equipment.
Let's discuss distilled water first. Since the distillation process eliminates virtually all impurities, including viruses and bacteria, heavy metals, and infinitesimal amounts of natural minerals, it's best suited for cases where water purity must be as close to perfect as possible. That includes:
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Medical facilities
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Laboratories
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Equipment such as CPAP machines, humidifiers, and steam irons
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Combining baby formula, particularly in regions where tap water isn't trusted
Furthermore, in addition to individuals with pre-existing compromised immune systems, physicians may sometimes recommend that they consume distilled or purified water as a precaution.
However, for most people who drink water daily, filtered water is more than enough, especially if you’re using reverse osmosis or activated carbon.
These systems are designed to remove contaminants such as chemical disinfectants, positively charged chemicals, and volatile compounds, while retaining the beneficial minerals your body needs to function properly.
Filtered water is often considered more flavorful by most people. For all those valuable minerals, it simply doesn't taste insipid like it does at times with demineralized water. So if you are only drinking for thirst and taste, filtered water is the winner.
Spring water, mineral water, or purified bottled water can be a suitable alternative, depending on your region, taste, and the quality of your municipal tap water.
In the end, the choice is up to your specific needs. If you simply want cleaner-tasting, improved drinking water, you need filtered water. However, if you require extremely clean water for equipment or sensitive health needs, consider purifying or distilling the water.
Common Misconceptions
There's a wide range of misinformation circulating about filtered water, distilled water, and what constitutes "pure" water. Let's debunk some of the most common myths I hear on a daily basis.
First:
"Filtered water = pure water."
Technically. Filtered water makes the water better, but doesn't purify it to 100%. Depending on what form of filtering it is, activated carbon, charcoal filtration, or reverse osmosis, there are some contaminants that get through. It's cleaner than faucet water, of course, but not really in the same league as purified or distilled water.
Next:
"Distilled water is dangerous."
This term is often used. People think that because it lacks natural minerals, it’s somehow harmful. The truth? Distilled water is safe to drink.
You’re just not getting the beneficial minerals you’d find in spring water or filtered water, so you’ll want to get those nutrients from your food instead. That’s it.
Finally:
“Boiling water is the same as distilling.”
Nope. Boiling definitely destroys bacteria. However, it will not eliminate heavy metals, chemical treatments, or volatile organic compounds. That's better done by distillation: boil water into steam, distill it out from everything else, then let it cool back into liquid. That's hardcore filtration.
The bottom line? No one-size-fits-all. Good info and good decisions.
Final Thoughts
So, are filtered water and distilled water the same thing? Well, now you'll understand that they're not. They're both great, they're both enhancing the quality of the water, but they're each doing so in totally different ways.
Filtered water employs filters such as reverse osmosis or charcoal filtration to remove impurities, but it also removes some of the healthy minerals your body needs. It is best for regular consumption if your tap water tastes bad or is overchlorinated, metallic, or chemically disinfected.
Distilled water, therefore, is an all-around overachiever. It's completely free of everything, including harmful minerals, so it's suitable for hospitals, sensitive machinery, or individuals with highly specialized health requirements.
But for normal drinking? Most people think it's too bland and not worth it unless their water is downright awful. You don't need to choose and be bound forever. It just depends on what you require.
Perhaps you use distilled water in your iron or humidifier, but at home, you only drink filtered water. That is a wonderful idea.
Lastly, it's not a matter of "best" water. It's what's best for you. Clean water is essential, but the method of acquiring it must suit your needs, lifestyle, and budget.
Just stay informed, keep your filtration units or distillers well-maintained, and you'll be doing your part for your health.
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