Reverse Osmosis vs Distilled Water

In terms of water purification, reverse osmosis and distillation are the most popular systems. 

The two systems can remove a high rate of TDS or total dissolved solids. Both are more affordable solutions to purchasing bottled water. 

So, what makes reverse osmosis water different from distilled water? Distinguishing the difference will help you decide which system is worthier of your investment. 

The System: Reverse Osmosis vs. Distillation

To appreciate the differences between reverse osmosis and distilled water, it is best to understand the processes involved. 

Reverse Osmosis (RO) is a type of filtration wherein water is pushed or forced into a series of membranes. The types and number of membranes differ in each system. Some basic RO systems have at least 3 stages, while more advanced devices can include up to 16 phases of filtration. 

The membranes or layers let water flow through while separating harmful components from it, effectively purifying water down to its molecular level. 

Distillation, on the other hand, works by heating water up to its boiling point, recapturing it in its vapor form, and letting it liquefy back into water. Impurities are removed in the process. 

Distillation is basically heating water enough to eliminate microbes and bacteria. Unlike RO, distillation does not purify water at its molecular level and is therefore incapable of removing chemical components. 

Advantages 

Reverse Osmosis

• Free from a myriad of pollutants. Water can be contaminated by visible and microscopic contaminants, from sediments that make the water look turbid to microbes and viruses that carry a number of diseases. Moreover, RO water is free from chemicals that can cause health issues, such as mercury, lead, copper, and chlorine. 

• Available through different systems. Do you live in an apartment with limited space? You can get an RO system placed under the sink or on top of a counter. Do you need RO water for business or commercial settings? Get one with more specifications and customization capabilities. There is an RO system for every user, site, and budget.

• Purified water on demand. RO systems are directly installed in a water line, so there is no disruption in your normal ways of getting your water supply. Once the RO system has been installed, you can just go on using water as usual. There’s no need to program, switch on, or do anything at all to get water that is free from contaminants. 

Distillation

• No installation requirement. You don’t need to schedule an installation to start distilling water. You are saving time and money to pay for skilled labor to get the water filtration process to work.

• Best for sterilization. Distillation is more frequently used in cleaning or sterilizing objects and surfaces. It is ideal and more practical to use for household cleaning. 

• Ideal for machinery. Some types of equipment require distilled water to operate, from steam iron and mop to car cooling systems and laboratory equipment. 

Disadvantages

Reverse Osmosis 

• Cost. Some reverse osmosis systems require professional installation. The bigger the scale that you need the system for, the more expensive the device and installation will be. For example, some towns or counties use reverse osmosis systems to address shortage and sanitation issues in the water supply. Businesses in the food and agriculture sectors need more than the basic RO systems for industrial and practical concerns. RO systems start from $300 to more than $1000, with the price varying with specifications. 

• Maintenance. RO systems require periodical maintenance to keep them running smoothly. The upkeep may come with monthly or annual fees and the replacement of RO system components. 
• Wastewater. Up to 3 gallons of water are wasted for every gallon of reverse osmosis water produced.

Distillation

• Limited filtration. Distillation can purify water from bacteria, microbes, and deposits of calcium and magnesium which cause hardness. However, the process is not effective in filtering oils, petroleum, and other substances with lower boiling temperatures than water.  

• Longer process. Don’t expect to get purified water on demand with distillation. Because it is not directly connected to the water line, the process will take longer to complete. In fact, most distillation systems can take up to 6 hours to treat 1 gallon of water. 
• Low mineral and pH level. Distillation strips the water of beneficial minerals and lowers its pH level. While these things can happen in reverse osmosis, many RO systems reintroduce minerals and stabilize the pH of water as it completes the process.

Both reverse osmosis and distillation are practical and effective ways to elevate the quality and safety of the water. Both also come with their sets of pros and cons. Remember these points to set them apart and identify which system is more suitable for you!