Can Bottled Water Be Considered Distilled Water?

October 27, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), bottled water is a very broad category, and most commercially sold bottled water is not distilled water. The primary reason bottled water cannot be considered distilled water is the difference in their purification processes and mineral content. While distillation removes almost all impurities and minerals, other methods like reverse osmosis and filtration are common for bottled water and retain or reintroduce minerals.

Quick Summary

Most bottled water, including spring and purified varieties, is not distilled. Distillation involves boiling and condensing steam to remove all dissolved minerals, while bottled water often retains or has minerals added back for flavor and health benefits.

Key Points

Purification Method Varies: Distilled water is produced by boiling and condensing steam, while most bottled water uses other purification methods like reverse osmosis or filtration.
Mineral Content is Key: Distillation removes nearly all minerals and dissolved solids, resulting in a TDS of almost 0 ppm, whereas bottled water retains or has minerals re-added.
Taste Difference: Distilled water has a noticeably flat taste due to the absence of minerals, while the mineral content in bottled water (especially spring or mineral water) provides flavor.
Different Applications: Distilled water is primarily used for specific purposes like appliances or labs, while bottled water is for drinking.
Not a Nutritional Source: Distilled water lacks the trace minerals that might offer minor health benefits, and for those with deficiencies, mineral-rich bottled water may be preferable, though diet is the main source.

The Core Difference: How Water is Purified

At the heart of the matter lies the purification process. The method used to treat water fundamentally determines its final composition, taste, and use. Distilled water is the product of a specific, high-purity process, while bottled water can come from various sources and be treated in multiple ways.

The Distillation Process

Distillation is a purification process that mimics the natural hydrological cycle on a controlled scale.

Boiling: Water is heated until it turns into steam, leaving behind virtually all non-volatile contaminants, such as minerals, salts, and heavy metals.
Condensation: The clean steam is then collected and cooled, causing it to condense back into pure liquid water.
Collection: This newly formed liquid is then collected in a separate, sterile container.

Because nearly all impurities and dissolved solids are left behind, the result is water that is close to 100% pure H₂O, with a Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) reading of 0 parts per million (PPM). This makes it ideal for industrial, laboratory, and medical applications where mineral-free water is essential.

Common Bottled Water Purification Methods

Bottled water, on the other hand, is processed using a range of methods depending on the source and desired outcome. Common techniques include:

Reverse Osmosis (RO): A process where water is forced through a semi-permeable membrane at high pressure. This removes most dissolved solids and contaminants, but not all of them.
Filtration: Water is passed through a series of filters, such as activated carbon, to remove impurities, improve taste, and absorb chlorine.
Ozonation and UV Light Treatment: These are disinfecting steps used to kill microorganisms like bacteria and viruses without leaving behind chemical residues.

After these processes, minerals are often added back into the water by manufacturers. This serves two key purposes: to improve the flavor, which would otherwise be flat, and to market the water based on its added mineral content.

What's Really in Your Bottle? Types of Bottled Water

The label on a bottled water product is crucial for understanding its contents. The term “bottled water” is an umbrella that covers several distinct products.

Spring Water: Sourced from an underground formation from which water flows naturally to the surface. It retains the minerals it absorbs from the rocks, giving it a unique taste.
Mineral Water: Must contain at least 250 PPM of dissolved solids at the source and cannot have minerals added later. This is prized for its specific mineral composition and taste.
Purified Water: Comes from either a tap water source or a protected well and has been demineralized through processes like reverse osmosis, distillation, or deionization. As noted, minerals are often reintroduced before bottling.
Drinking Water: Often sourced from municipal tap water that has undergone some form of filtration and treatment before being bottled.
Distilled Water: If a bottled water is truly distilled, the label will clearly state it. However, it is a niche product primarily used for specific applications, not for regular drinking.

Key Differences: A Comparison Table


Feature	Distilled Water	Typical Bottled Water (Spring/Purified)
Purification Method	Boiling, evaporation, and condensation	Filtration, reverse osmosis, UV light, ozonation
Mineral Content	Virtually none (TDS near 0 PPM)	Present; levels vary depending on source and treatment
Taste	Flat or neutral due to lack of minerals	Crisp, fresh, or varied, due to mineral profile
Primary Use	Appliances (irons, humidifiers), laboratory use	Everyday drinking, cooking
Health Considerations	Safe to drink but lacks essential minerals	Provides hydration and trace minerals

Taste, Health, and Practical Uses

The contrasting purification methods of distilled and bottled water lead to significant differences in taste and application. Distilled water's flat, neutral flavor is a direct result of having no dissolved minerals, which some people may find unappealing. Conversely, the presence of minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium in spring water creates the refreshing taste many consumers prefer.

From a health perspective, it's worth noting that while distilled water is perfectly safe to drink, it won't provide the nutritional benefits of trace minerals found in spring or mineral water. The World Health Organization has published research on the importance of minerals in drinking water, especially for those with marginal intakes from food. For most healthy individuals with a balanced diet, the mineral content in water is not a primary source of nutrients, but for some, like athletes or those with dietary deficiencies, mineralized water might be more beneficial.

Perhaps the most telling difference lies in their practical uses. Distilled water is highly aggressive and seeks to absorb minerals from its surroundings, making it the wrong choice for certain applications but the ideal choice for others. Its lack of mineral content prevents scale buildup, which is why it is recommended for use in household appliances such as steam irons, humidifiers, and CPAP machines. Using mineral-rich tap or bottled water in these devices would lead to mineral deposits over time, causing damage. In contrast, bottled drinking water is explicitly meant for consumption and is designed to provide a pleasant, familiar taste.

Conclusion

While some purified bottled water products may involve distillation as part of their treatment process, they are not the same as pure distilled water sold for specific applications. The key distinction lies in the final mineral content, which directly impacts taste and practical use. Distilled water is stripped of nearly everything, resulting in a flat taste and suitability for appliances and medical use. Bottled water, whether from a spring or treated via reverse osmosis, contains or has minerals added back for drinking enjoyment and some nutritional benefit. When deciding between the two, consumers should consider their specific needs: a pleasant, mineral-rich beverage for hydration or a mineral-free solution for sensitive equipment.

World Health Organization Report on Nutrients in Drinking Water

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary difference is the mineral content. Distilled water has been processed to remove nearly all minerals, while bottled water, such as spring or purified water, contains varying levels of minerals, either naturally occurring or added back for taste.

Yes, it is safe to drink distilled water. However, some people find its taste flat due to the lack of minerals. For a healthy individual, it is not harmful, but it won't provide the minor mineral benefits that other waters might.

It is not recommended. Using bottled water in a steam iron or other appliances can lead to mineral buildup (scale) over time, which can clog and damage the appliance. Distilled water's lack of minerals prevents this.

No. While distillation is a form of purification, purified bottled water can also be produced using other methods like reverse osmosis. Check the label; if it was distilled, it would likely be specified.

The taste of bottled water is largely dependent on its mineral content. Spring water brands, for example, have distinct tastes based on the geological region they are sourced from and the minerals present.

The label is the most reliable indicator. Any bottled water that is truly distilled will clearly state it on the packaging. If the label mentions 'spring,' 'purified,' or 'mineral,' it is not pure distilled water.

No, tap water is not distilled. It undergoes a different set of treatment processes to make it safe for municipal use. Tap water contains minerals and is chemically treated to kill pathogens.