The Distillation Advantage

How Does Distillation Compare with Carbon Filtration and Reverse Osmosis?

Carbon Filtration:

Best application is for the reduction of organic contaminants such as chlorine, trichloroethylene and organic pesticides. Carbon filters should only be used on water supplies that are potable and free of microbial organisms. Some carbon filters can reduce concentrations of lead and nitrates, however, performance is limited and over time, some filters will eventually discharge previously removed contaminants back into the "treated water". Carbon filters will not kill bacteria, cysts or viruses. Treatment performance declines over time and taste is generally the only monitor that consumers can rely on to know when to change their filters.

Reverse Osmosis:

 A micro filtration system that uses a semi permeable membrane to strain out a large percentage of suspended and dissolved substances from water. The average R.O. membrane is capable of removing particles down to a size of less than one micron. This means that R.O. can remove even trace concentrations of potentially harmful contaminants such as lead, nitrate, arsenic, etc.  Reverse osmosis systems that claim performance reductions for organic contaminants such as chlorine, trichloroethylene, etc. use carbon filters as well in order to reduce these sorts of compounds.
Most R.O. systems require installation, attaching to the household water supply usually under the kitchen sink. R.O. systems also require a drain line because the system must constantly flush the surface area of the membrane to remove accumulating solids. Without flushing, the membrane will foul in less than a day, rendering the system ineffective. On average, a modern R.O. system will flush 3 to 5 gallons of water down the drain for every gallon of water produced.
Most R.O. systems are approved for use with portable water only. Even though the membrane pore size is small enough to trap bacteria and organisms such as crytosporidium, there is a considerable risk that such organisms can eventually make their way through the system and end up in the treated water.
According to the American Water Quality Association, an average Reverse Osmosis system can be counted on to remove about 85% of the dissolved and suspended matter from tap water. However, as the membrane and filters become used, their efficiencies decline. Most systems require filter changes semi annually and membrane changes annually. It is a fair statement that if an R.O. system is allowed to go for more than two years without replacement of the filters or membrane, it becomes virtually ineffective. Performance specifications for most R.O. systems are based upon test results obtained under controlled conditions, with water temperatures above 70 degrees F. and at pressures above 60 PSI. In real world situations, where ground water temperatures drop to 50 degrees in winter and line pressure is under 40 PSI, the actual production capability of a 12 gallon per day system may actually fall to less than 3 gallons per day with high TDS water.

Distillation:

 Whereas carbon filtration and reverse osmosis are both mechanical treatment processes, distillation is actually a physical process. Water reacts the same way at its boiling point every time. When water boils, steam is produced. It is the steam that we collect and cool to make distilled water.
This is the big advantage of distillation. If the distiller can heat water until it boils, the result will be pure, safe, clean drinking water every time. The boiling process also acts as a sterilization step that effectively kills water borne bacteria, cysts and viruses.
Distillation is also unsurpassed in the elimination of dissolved substances such as lead, nitrate, arsenic, as well as any other contaminants that has a specific boiling point higher than 212 degrees F. It really is that simple and it is a part of the distillation performance guarantee. If the distiller is working and water is boiling, the treated water will always be safe, pure and clean. "If it's working, it's working!"
For the removal of contaminants that have a specific boiling point less than 212 degrees F., components such as chlorine etc., we use activated carbon filtration along with distillation.
Distillation combined with activated carbon provides the most effective treatment potential for residential drinking water purification. And because distillation is a physical process, there is not the same sort of performance depreciation over time as there is with reverse osmosis and carbon filters. There is no wasting of water as there is with reverse osmosis and there is no need for a drain line. This is a big advantage if the unit is to be installed in an apartment.
For cottage owners and people with questionable well water supplies, distillation can always be counted on to produce safe, microbe free water.


"Chronic Fatigue Syndrome sufferers are instructed to drink distilled water"
How To Stay Out of the Doctor's Office, 1994, Dr. Edward M. Wagner

"Distilled water is the purest form available. Distilled water helps to excrete excessive metals from the body."
Who Killed Candida, 1991 Vicki Glassburn


"Distilled water is the closest to pure water. So if you want the safest water you can get, the choice would be distilled."
Your Health, July 12, 1994, Dr.Lamb

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Copyright 2007