First things first: which type of water should I drink?

Drinking Water is a key component of our lives. Since 70% of the human body is water, the water we drink and cook with must be of the highest quality. Water is used for many different types of purposes besides drinking water — but, let’s face it, we’re most concerned about what type of water we’re putting in our bodies. Let’s dive into the different types of drinking water people from all over the world use to stay hydrated:

Distilled Water

Vaporized distilled water is made by boiling water and collecting the steam as it condenses. Minerals and most contaminants and chemicals are left behind, at least those which have a higher boiling point than water. Distillation is most effective in removing heavy metals, nitrates, and minerals. The boiling process kills the vast majority of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Some chemicals that have a lower boiling point than water, such as chlorine and benzene, are vaporized and remain in the distilled water unless they are filtered out with charcoal.

Spring Water

Spring water comes from naturally occurring springs, which are underground sources that are usually uncontaminated. Spring water typically undergoes some processing and filtering to remove debris and kill bacteria and other microbes, but most of the mineral content — such as calcium and magnesium — is left in the water. Consequently, spring water tastes “fresher” or “crisper” than distilled water to most people.

Purified Water

Purified water is a general term that usually means the water is filtered in some way. Water filtration can be accomplished via reverse osmosis or activated carbon and ceramic filters, although the common goal is to remove harmful substances from the water. Municipal water from your tap should be safe according to government guidelines, so the EPA only recommends additional water filtration at home in order to improve the taste of your drinking water. However, the EPA admits that municipal drinking water can be expected to contain some contaminants, so people with severely weakened immune systems or serious health conditions may benefit from further purifying their water or buying bottled water.

Bottled Water

Bottled water includes virtually every type of drinking water including tap water, spring water, filtered water, and even ozonated water — which is infused with oxygen. Some brands have been heavily criticized because they use unfiltered municipal water. On the other hand, some brands are highly filtered and purified, and some contain additional minerals and electrolytes.¹

Most people find it alarming when they see rust-colored stains or buildup in their sinks and tubs. While it’s definitely something to watch out for, it shouldn’t cause any health problems. After all, hard water is just dissolved minerals such as calcium and magnesium that water has accumulated as it passes through rocks.⁴

So the minerals are all-natural, but having too much of those minerals is what causes stains on your hardware, it can start to erode your pipes, and it can cause soaps and detergents to be less effective. Thankfully, there are a lot of options to soften your water and keep your appliances and pipes in tip-top shape.

How can I improve my water?

For hard or occasionally discolored water, people turn to water filters and softeners. Many companies sell various home treatment devices ranging from small faucet-mounted filters to “whole-house” systems to water softeners. These are some of the most popular options: