Although similar in appearance, distilled water and spring water differ in content and taste. In this Buzzle article, we shall learn more about both through a distilled water vs. spring water comparison. Read on to know which of these is more beneficial than the other.
Bottled distilled water and spring water are easily available at any grocery store, and can be used for various purposes including drinking. But, what is the difference between the two? What is the procedure to make these varieties of water? Which one is better for consumption, and why? We will try to answer all these questions. But first, a brief on each of them.
✦ Distilled Water
Distilled water is considered an absolutely pure form of water, which is free from any contaminants. It is obtained by boiling water, and then condensing the steam obtained in a clean container so as to leave most of the impurities behind. In the process of distillation, very less minerals remain in the water. However, the process of boiling helps kill the vast majority of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Distilled water is easily available in the market for various uses, and its consumption for drinking purposes is highly debated.
✦ Spring Water
Basically, spring water is the water found flowing in springs. It is encountered in underground sources, and is filtered over rocks, as it comes to the surface. It is high in various minerals, which impart it a sweet tinge in taste. This is the main reason why many bottled water vending firms pack this water, after very basic purification techniques. They remove debris, and kill bacteria and other microbes. As springs merge into our rivers, there’s lots of spring water in our tap water. Spring water and tap water have almost the same level of purity.
Distilled Water Vs. Spring Water
| Distilled Water | Spring Water |
| How Is It Obtained? | |
| ✦ Distillation process results in pure form of water which has very little mineral content. The minerals present in unprocessed water are left behind in the residue. | ✦ Spring water comes from a natural water source like a spring, which has no tributary contributions. Bottled spring water is obtained directly from this source without being treated further (or is minimally treated). Therefore, it is rich in minerals. |
| Purity | |
| ✦ Distilled water is almost 100% pure water, and is used in applications where purity of water is very important. | ✦ Spring water lacks purity, as it has a number of dissolved minerals, and there is a possibility of impurities as well. Hence, it is never used in places where purity of water is required. |
| Taste | |
| ✦ As most humans are used to drinking mineral rich water, distilled water tastes very different from spring water. It can taste bitter or flat, and one can easily identify it as treated water. | ✦ Spring water has a sweet tinge in its taste, which makes it highly desirable for consumption purposes. |
| Advantage/Disadvantage | |
| ✦ According to some doctors, distilled water, if consumed, can flush out minerals such as calcium and magnesium out of the body tissue. This happens due to osmosis – dissolved minerals moving from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration. | ✦ As the spring water has adequate mineral concentration, it does not pull minerals and electrolytes out of your body. |
| Uses | |
| ✦ It is used to top-up lead acid batteries used in vehicles. It is used in steam irons as lack of minerals and impurities reduces the chances of pores getting clogged, and metal parts getting rusted. The water minimizes the chance for mineral buildup. It is also used as an engine coolant in cars and trucks. Using distilled water for washing clothes is being advised, as this is soft water, and detergents can work wonders if the water is not hard. Moreover, there won’t be any residue left on clothes, which can be seen when using tap water. Chemistry laboratories across schools and universities use distilled water for chemical experiments. | ✦ Spring water is ideal for domestic use. It can be used for cooking and everyday consumption. It has excellent hydrating properties, because of its high mineral content. |
When it comes to health concerns, there are various aspects related to both of them. Sodas are mostly made using distilled water, consumption of which contributes to ridding the body of essential minerals. The mineral sucking property of distilled water can contribute to osteoporosis, hypothyroidism, and high blood pressure. Concerns about spring water state that it may contain contaminants that can be harmful. While bottled spring water undergoes purity tests for contaminants, it is not done for all of them.
This is where we can say that spring water emerges as a winner in the battle. However, distilled water cannot be termed as a loser, as it finds use in many areas, mostly for commercial purposes.