Drinking water is now available in different forms. Centuries ago there was only water from wells. Now, the list goes from distilled to alkaline water. How many types of our precious liquid can companies come up with now? That remains to be seen.
Bottled Water
Most people think that all commercially available bottled water is 100% pure. Well, that is not the case. Some commercially available water is a product of filtration and disinfection. Bottled water is safe to drink because the harmful microorganisms have been killed. There are different ways to kill microorganisms. It could be through use of chemicals like chlorine or use of radiation. Traces of minerals may still be present.
Distilled Water
Distillation is one method to purify H2O. It is a method that is based on the simple principle of the water cycle. Plain H2O is heated and then the vapor is allowed to condense. Condensed H2O is collected in another container. The process can be repeated to ensure a high-grade of distillation. The process leaves solid impurities behind. As a result, the remaining distilled liquid is almost devoid of minerals and ions, a quality that according to some people is not good for the body. There has been controversy that distilled water strips the body of minerals. This has been dismissed by some health experts as a myth.
Deionized H2O
Another way to remove ions from H2O is deionization. In this process, water is allowed to pass through ion exchange resin beds, where water loses its ions. This process, however, does not remove non-ionic impurities. But when it is done to previously treated H2O, the result is high-grade pure water.
Alkaline Water
This type of processed water has been introduced in the market fairly recently. It is unlike distilled water that is totally devoid of minerals. It may be considered healthier than plain spring water because it contains only the ions necessary for the body. According to promoters of this type of water, it is healthier because it has antioxidants and has healing qualities, claims that have yet to be proven by thorough medical research.
RO Water
Reverse osmosis is another means of purifying H2O to some extent. Unlike deionization, it removes all molecules and ions larger than water molecules. Thus resulting in a purer form of H2O, much like distilled water.
Is there any significant difference between these types of water?
Chemically, there is negligible difference between these types of water. They look and taste the same. Only laboratory analysis can detect any difference. Generally, the precious liquid is safe to drink as long as it is free from harmful impurities and microorganisms. Water treatment facilities actually provide relatively safe water that can be used in homes. Many people have H2O treatment systems in their homes to ensure water is potable. On the other hand, some will simply buy distilled water in bulk. Other people rely on ionizers to convert their tap water into so-called healthy water, which is said to have a pH higher than normal.