Reverse Osmosis vs Distilled Water

You’ve likely come across reverse osmosis and water distillers when searching for the best way to have pure water at home. Both systems provide safe water but they use completely different methods. Both of these water purifiers are considered purified water. But which one is best? Is it really worth the difference? This article will help you understand the differences between reverse-osmosis water distillation. This article will help you decide which one is best suited to your needs, so you can begin drinking water that is healthier.

What Is Purified Water?

Water treated through either distillation or reverse osmosis is considered to be purified water. What is purified water exactly? To be classified as purified, water must contain less than 10 parts per million (PPM) of total dissolved solids. This means that water is 99 percent free of any substances, including minerals that can be beneficial to your health. This also means there are no contaminants. All bacteria, protozoa and chemicals are removed from water by purification.

Reverse Osmosis

This type of water purification uses high pressure to force water through a special reverse osmosis membrane. The membrane will eliminate all impurities down to the smallest levels. However, this is not the end of the process. There are usually several stages of filtration in reverse osmosis systems that can each remove specific substances from the water. A mineral filter is used at the end to bring back essential minerals. Reverse osmosis water is very safe to drink. These minerals are also important for the taste of your water. Reverse osmosis water tastes crisp and refreshing.

The reverse osmosis system is usually installed under your sink and connected to your main water line. They will have their own dedicated faucet that will allow you to get purified water on tap. You will need to replace the filters approximately twice per year. Some systems may require more frequent replacements. You can customize them to provide as many levels of filtration as your heart desires. RO systems are a great investment because of their versatility.

Pros

• Water purified completely
• Adds essential minerals back in

Cons

• It can be costly

Distillation

Distillation is a specific method of purifying water. The process involves boiling water to make steam. Any contaminants and impurities are removed from the water once it boils. The steam is collected in a condenser and then cooled down. The steam returns to liquid form as the temperature drops. The drops of water are then passed through a final carbon post-filter, the last stage of filtration that removes any chemicals that may have boiled off with the water. This results in pure water with only 1 part per million dissolved substances. This means there are no minerals in the water to improve your health or give it any flavor.

For distilling water at home, a countertop distiller is your best bet. This device will filter and distill your water. Each gallon takes approximately 4-6 hours to make and you will be using a lot of electricity. Water distillers are similar to reverse osmosis systems. They can be quite expensive to start with, and you will need to replace the carbon post-filter at regular intervals.

Pros

• Water purified completely
• Dissolved solids are only 1-ppm

Cons

• Removes essential minerals
• Flavors flat without any minerals
• Time-consuming process

Which is better for your health?

People are always looking for better water sources for their health. It makes sense to find out which purified water is best for them. Both of these methods remove all water from the system but reverse osmosis systems add essential minerals back into the water. You don’t have to drink water devoid of minerals. However, it is a good idea to avoid removing healthy minerals from your diet. Drinking distilled water is a good option, but you should eat lots of mineral-rich foods to avoid becoming deficient. Reverse osmosis water is a better option for drinking water because it has all the benefits of purified water but also contains good minerals.

Conclusion

Although distilled water is purified water, reverse osmosis water is not. Reverse osmosis water systems purify the water by passing it through multiple stages of filters and RO membranes. This removes all impurities. The final stage often involves a mineral filter, which will replace any minerals that have been removed during purification. You get pure, delicious, and healthy water that is great for drinking.

The purity of distilled water can be reduced to one part per million. This is done by boiling water, which removes contaminants. After the steam has been collected, it is cooled and then filtered once more. The steam is collected and cooled, then filtered one last time. Each system has its advantages and disadvantages. Although reverse osmosis water has a higher quality overall, it is still healthier to consume. However, your personal preference will determine which system you prefer.

This post was written by a water treatment expert at Paragon Water Systems. Paragon Water Systems is a water filter supplier. We know that the best product comes from the best materials. We manufacture home water solutions such as reverse osmosis systems, under sink water filtration systems, showerhead filtration systems, carbon cartridges, and a wide variety of other products. Our focus is to provide Americans with safe and clean water throughout the home.