Is Purified Water the Same as Distilled Water?

When browsing the water aisle in your local Tesco, Carrefour, or REWE, you’ve likely come across labels like “purified water” and “distilled water”. At first glance, they might seem interchangeable. After all, both promise high purity and cleanliness. But are they really the same?

For consumers across Europe, where water quality standards are high and eco-conscious choices are growing in popularity, understanding the difference between purified water and distilled water is more relevant than ever. In this guide, we break it all down — the science, the uses, the health impact — in plain language.

Purified water is water that has been filtered or processed to remove impurities, contaminants, and harmful chemicals. This includes substances like chlorine, bacteria, heavy metals, and dissolved solids.

To meet the definition of “purified” under EU and international standards, the water must contain no more than 10 parts per million ( ppm ) of dissolved solids. In other words, it’s extremely clean — but the method of purification can vary.

• Reverse Osmosis (RO): A membrane filters out particles, bacteria, and minerals.
• Deionisation (DI): Uses ion-exchange resins to remove ions (like calcium or magnesium).
• Carbon Filtration: Removes chlorine, odours, and organic compounds.
• UV Treatment: Kills bacteria and viruses using ultraviolet light.

Each of these techniques can be used alone or in combination. What matters is the final water quality, not necessarily how it was achieved.

Distilled water is a type of purified water — but it goes through a specific process called distillation.

Here’s how it works:

1. Water is boiled into steam.

2. The steam rises and leaves impurities behind.

3. The steam is then cooled and condensed back into liquid water.

This method removes:

• Minerals (like sodium and calcium)
• Bacteria and viruses
• Heavy metals
• Many types of organic compounds

It’s been used for decades in laboratories, medical settings, and industries requiring ultra-clean water.

Not exactly.

All distilled water is purified, but not all purified water is distilled. Distillation is just one method of purification — and sometimes not the most practical or sustainable, especially at scale in Europe.

Let’s put them side-by-side to make it easier:

Most European tap water contains healthy minerals like calcium and magnesium — and many people enjoy the taste of mineral-rich water. Distilled water, on the other hand, can taste flat or even acidic.

Purified water (especially from reverse osmosis) often retains a better flavour and may keep small amounts of minerals, making it more suitable for daily hydration.

• Distilled water lacks minerals, which can be problematic if it’s your only water source long-term. The European Food Safety Authority ( EFSA ) recommends maintaining mineral intake from food or water.
• Purified water still removes contaminants like chlorine or lead, while possibly keeping essential trace minerals.

Unless you have a medical need, purified water is a more balanced choice for regular drinking.

Distillation uses significant electricity, making it less eco-friendly compared to reverse osmosis or carbon filtration. This is a growing concern in energy-conscious regions like Scandinavia and the Netherlands.

While both purified and distilled water are sold in bottles, many European consumers are turning to home water filtration systems to reduce plastic usage. RO units or faucet filters are widely available across Europe and are more sustainable in the long run.

False. Mineral water, purified water, and distilled water have different compositions and purposes. Always read the label — especially in countries like France, Germany, or Italy, where bottled water types vary greatly.

Not quite. While it’s ultra-clean, lack of minerals makes it less ideal for regular drinking unless under medical advice.

Choosing between purified water and distilled water depends on how you plan to use it:

• For daily hydration: Go with purified water or filtered tap water with essential minerals.
• For medical, lab, or appliance use: Use distilled water for its complete purity.
• For eco-conscious living: Opt for in-home purification systems rather than bottled distilled water.

In summary, while both water types are highly clean, they serve different needs — and in a region like Europe, where water quality and environmental awareness are top priorities, knowing the difference helps you make smarter, healthier choices.