What’s the Difference Between Filtered and Distilled Water?

Water. It’s simple, right? You turn on the tap, and out it comes, ready to hydrate your hardworking team. But if you’ve ever found yourself knee-deep in an office debate over the best kind of water (yes, it’s happened), you know that not all water is created equal. Enter: filtered water and distilled water—the two heavyweights of hydration.

But which one is right for your office? Let’s break it down, Office H2O style.

Filtered vs. Distilled: The Breakdown

Both filtered and distilled water go through processes to remove impurities, but the way they get there is quite different. Think of it like choosing between a gourmet chef meticulously selecting and preparing ingredients for a meal versus throwing everything in a pot and boiling it down to its most basic form. Each has its merits, but one is clearly more suited for everyday enjoyment.

What is Filtered Water?

Filtered water is water that has passed through a filtration system to remove contaminants, sediment, chlorine, large solids, and even heavy metals while retaining essential minerals like calcium and magnesium. This process improves the taste and overall quality without stripping the water down to an unnatural state.

Most offices and workplaces prefer filtered water because it provides fresh, clean hydration without the hassle of bottled deliveries. Not only does it taste better, but it’s also a healthier and more cost-effective solution compared to constantly restocking bottled water.

While there are various filtration methods, the best water comes when you combine filtration with purification. Filtration does a lot of the heavy lifting, removing large solids and particles, but clear, clean, healthy drinking water only comes from purification—something Office H2O knows a thing or two about. In our case, water filtration is followed by purification, which includes a reverse osmosis stage to remove even the tiniest of impurities, and UV purification to eliminate bacteria and viruses. The end result? Water that’s not only filtered and clean but refreshingly pure and still contains the minerals your body needs.

What is Distilled Water?

Distilled water goes through a more extreme purification process. Water is boiled into steam, leaving behind all impurities and minerals, and then condensed back into liquid form. What’s left is pure H2O—nothing more, nothing less.

While this might sound like the pinnacle of cleanliness, distilled water comes with some caveats. Because the process removes everything—including essential minerals—distilled water can taste flat and even unnatural. This type of water is mostly used in medical and industrial settings where ultra-purity is required, such as hospitals, laboratories, and machinery that must avoid mineral buildup.

Distilled water is also commonly used in car batteries, steam irons, and humidifiers to prevent mineral deposits from clogging these devices. However, for drinking purposes, the lack of minerals makes it less than ideal for daily consumption. Your body actually needs trace minerals found in water, and drinking only distilled water over long periods can lead to a deficiency in important nutrients like calcium and magnesium.

Additionally, distillation requires a significant amount of energy, making it a less eco-friendly option compared to filtration. The boiling process alone consumes a great deal of electricity or gas, which adds up over time. In contrast, filtration systems require minimal energy and produce no waste byproducts.

Medical and industrial facilities that require absolutely pure water for sterilization and specialized equipment may benefit from distilled water, but for everyday drinking, it’s overkill. Plus, the lack of minerals in distilled water can actually lead to leaching, where the water pulls minerals from the body instead of replenishing them.

A bottleless water cooler with a high-quality purification filtration system provides unlimited clean water on demand without the expense or waste associated with bottled water. It’s a practical solution for offices looking to reduce costs, improve sustainability, and keep employees hydrated with great-tasting water.

The Cost Factor

Filtered and purified water is not only better for hydration but also for your budget. Constantly purchasing bottled or distilled water adds up over time, whereas a bottleless filtration system offers unlimited drinking water with minimal maintenance. For offices, warehouses, and medical facilities looking for a reliable and long-term solution, filtration makes the most financial sense.

On top of that, the convenience factor cannot be ignored. Businesses that rely on bottled water deliveries have to deal with storage issues, scheduling concerns, and the ongoing hassle of keeping enough stock on hand. A filtered water and purification system eliminates all these problems, offering fresh water on demand whenever employees need it.

Environmental Impact: A Hidden Consideration

Beyond cost and convenience, pure, filtered water is also the greener choice. Distillation requires significant energy to heat and recondense water, whereas filtration uses minimal energy and produces no waste.

By switching to a bottleless water, bottleless water and ice, or commercial ice machines with advanced filtration, businesses can dramatically reduce their carbon footprint. No more stacks of plastic bottles filling up the break room or delivery trucks adding unnecessary emissions—just clean, fresh water straight from the source.

Additionally, distillation wastes a lot of water. During the process, a significant portion of the water is lost as steam that doesn’t get captured, making it an inefficient method of purification in terms of resource conservation.

The Verdict?

If you’re deciding between filtered and purified and distilled water for your office, the answer is clear—filtered and purified water is the best choice for everyday hydration. It’s cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and provides the minerals and tastes employees prefer. Distilled water has its place in medical and industrial settings, but for general office use, it simply doesn’t make sense.

Purified filtered water, on the other hand, ensures that your team stays refreshed, productive, and happy without the unnecessary costs and environmental drawbacks associated with other water sources. If you want to create a workplace environment where employees feel cared for, offering great-tasting, healthy drinking water is a small but meaningful step in the right direction.

Want to upgrade your office hydration system? Reach out to Office H2O and find the perfect water purification system for your workplace. Your team will thank you.

Contact us to get started!