What Is Purified Water? Definition and Benefits
Water is the source of life. But not all water is the same, and in many cases, the water we drink can contain impurities. That's where purified water comes in. But what exactly is purified water? How does it differ from other types of water?
In this article, we’ll explore what purified water is, whether purified water is good for you, the various methods of purification, and why you might want to consider choosing purified water for your daily hydration.
What is Purified Water?
Purified water is water that has been treated to remove impurities, contaminants, and chemicals. This water is filtered to ensure it is safe to drink, free of harmful substances, and meets high-quality standards. Unlike tap water, which may contain dissolved minerals, chlorine, bacteria, or heavy metals, purified water has these impurities removed, providing the cleanest drinking water.
The purification process may involve various methods, such as distillation, reverse osmosis, filtration, and deionization. These processes are designed to remove contaminants at the molecular level, leaving only H2O. It is important to note that while purified water is treated to be safe, the word "purified" does not necessarily mean that the water is free of minerals. Some purified waters still contain trace minerals, depending on the purification process used.
How is Pure Water Made?
There are many ways to purify water at home. Some of the most common purification processes include:
- Distillation: Distillation boils water to create steam, which is then condensed back into liquid form, leaving behind most impurities and contaminants. This method is effective in removing bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, and minerals that can be harmful to human health.
- Reverse Osmosis: In reverse osmosis (RO), water is forced through a semipermeable membrane that filters out impurities, chemicals, and larger particles. The process is effective in removing contaminants such as chlorine, lead, fluoride, and even microorganisms. It is one of the most popular methods for purifying water for domestic and industrial use.
- Filtration: Filtration is a process that uses filters to remove particles, sediment, and contaminants from water. Different types of filters, such as activated carbon, ceramic, or sand filters, are used to capture impurities. While filtration is not as thorough as distillation or reverse osmosis, it can significantly improve the taste and quality of water by removing chlorine, bacteria, and sediment.
- Deionization: Ionization (DI) uses an ion exchange process to remove dissolved minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and sodium from water. The process replaces these ions with hydrogen and hydroxide ions, resulting in very pure water. Deionized water is often used in scientific applications, laboratories, and industries that require ultrapure water.
- Ultraviolet (UV) purification: Ultraviolet (UV) light is used to disinfect water by neutralizing harmful bacteria, viruses, and pathogens. While UV purification is effective in killing microorganisms, it does not remove chemical contaminants or heavy metals, so it is often used in conjunction with other purification methods.
Each of these methods has its pros and cons, but they all help ensure that the water you drink is safe and free of harmful contaminants.
Purified Water Benefits
Purified water offers a variety of health and environmental benefits. Let's take a closer look at why you might choose purified water over other types of water.
1. Improved Health and Safety
The main benefit of purified water is that it is free of harmful contaminants that can affect your health. Water sources can be contaminated with bacteria, viruses, chlorine, pesticides, heavy metals like lead, and other toxins. Drinking contaminated water can lead to gastrointestinal issues, skin problems, or long-term health complications. By choosing purified water, you can ensure that you are drinking safe, clean water.
2. Better Taste
Purified water is often thought to taste better than tap water. Tap water may have a distinctive odor or taste due to the presence of chlorine, fluoride, or minerals like iron or sulfur. The purification process removes these substances, leaving behind odorless, refreshing water. For many people, purified water is more palatable and more enjoyable to drink.
3. Promotes Hydration
Staying hydrated helps us stay healthy, and purified water is a great choice for optimal hydration. Purified water is free of harmful contaminants, allowing your body to absorb water more efficiently. This means your body can stay hydrated more effectively, which can help improve digestion, skin health, energy levels, and cognitive function.
4. Free of Harmful Chemicals or Contaminants
Many municipal water supplies contain added chemicals such as chlorine and fluoride. While these chemicals are generally safe in small amounts, some people prefer to avoid them. Depending on the purification method used, purified water can remove or reduce these chemicals, giving consumers peace of mind. It can also eliminate other potentially harmful substances, such as lead and mercury, which can leach into the water from old pipes or industrial pollution.
5. Promotes Skin Health
Water quality is also important for skin health. Impurities in water, such as chlorine, minerals, and bacteria, can irritate the skin, causing dry skin, rashes, and even acne. Drinking purified water helps keep the skin hydrated and may improve the appearance of the skin by flushing out toxins and reducing exposure to irritants.
6. Environmental Benefits
Choosing purified water, especially drinking it in large quantities, is better for the environment than relying on bottled water. Bottled water often requires long-distance transportation, which creates plastic waste and environmental pollution. Purifying tap water at home with a filtration system or reverse osmosis is a more environmentally friendly option. In addition, many purification systems are designed to be reusable and require little maintenance.
The Role of TOKIT Water Filters in Purifying Water
When considering home water purification solutions, many people will choose to use a water filtration system to ensure that they have access to clean and safe drinking water. TOKIT water filters are such products that provide an efficient and convenient way to purify tap water.
TOKIT water filter use advanced filtration technology to remove many impurities, including chlorine, heavy metals, sediments, and even bacteria, ensuring that the water you drink is safe and clean. TOKIT's water filters typically use a multi-stage filtration process, including activated carbon, ion exchange, and other high-performance materials to effectively capture contaminants. It can obtain pure water directly from the tap without the need for bottled water or more complex purification systems such as reverse osmosis or distillation.
Benefits of TOKIT Water Filters
- Rich in Strontium: TOKIT water filters retain strontium in water, providing healthier mineral water.
- Six-stage filtration system: Six-stage filtration technology ensures purer water and removes more impurities.
- Plug and Play Design: The water filter does not require complicated installation, just plug it in and it is ready to use, which is very convenient.
- Instant Heating and Cooling: TOKIT AkuaPure T1 Pro is equipped with 2100W stainless steel thick film heating technology, and you can enjoy up to 8 temperature options (77°F to 210°F) with one click to meet different hot drink needs. T1 Ultra water filter is equipped with a compression refrigeration mechanism, which can easily provide 41°F ice-cold water, suitable for summer use.
- Eco-efficient: In the long run, using a TOKIT water filter can save you money because there is no need for bottled water or expensive water delivery services.
- Environmentally friendly: By reducing dependence on disposable plastic bottles, TOKIT water filters are an environmentally friendly choice that helps reduce plastic waste.
- Improved Taste and Odor: TOKIT filters remove chlorine and other chemicals that affect the taste and odor of tap water, making it more refreshing and pleasant.
Purified Water vs. Other Types of Water
When comparing purified water to other types of water, it's important to understand the differences:
- Tap water: Tap water is treated by a municipal water supply, but it may still contain chlorine, fluoride, minerals, and trace contaminants. While tap water is safe to drink in most areas, water quality can vary, especially in areas with aging infrastructure or high levels of contamination.
- Spring water: Spring water comes from a natural spring and is usually filtered through rocks and soil. It may contain minerals that provide health benefits, but it may also contain impurities, depending on the source. Spring water is not always as rigorously treated as purified water.
- Distilled water: Distilled water is a type of purified water, but it is produced through a distillation process. It has very few dissolved minerals, which makes it a highly purified form of water. However, some people don't like the bland taste of distilled water because it lacks the trace minerals that provide flavor.
- Mineral water: Mineral water contains naturally occurring minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, and sodium, that provide health benefits. However, it may also contain other impurities. Mineral water is not generally considered purified water unless it has been additionally treated.
Conclusion
If you want to drink clean, safe, and great-tasting water, purified water is an essential choice. Purified water is a process that removes harmful contaminants, chemicals, and microorganisms that may be present in untreated water. The benefits of purified water include better health, better taste, and environmental sustainability, making it a great choice for daily hydration.
Whether you prefer purified water for its purity, taste, or safety, purified water is one of the best ways to ensure that you are drinking clean water that is free of harmful substances. If you are concerned about the quality of your tap water, using a purification system like the TOKIT water filter or purchasing bottled purified water can help you maintain a healthy, hydrated lifestyle. Choosing purified water can give you better health, better taste, and peace of mind.
Related reading: How Much Does A Reverse Osmosis System Cost?