A combination of high demand and supply chain issues have led to a shortage of distilled water across the country. Distilled water is the purest form of H2O, stripped of all minerals and other substances and is typically needed for medical and industrial processes.
It is often used in cooling systems and aquariums, in steam irons and laboratory experiments; and in a number of medical devices that require an ultra-pure form of water to avoid contamination.
Since 2017 there have been a number of localised distilled water shortages in part of the United States, but in the past two years this trend has become a national concern. The pandemic-era supply chain disruption made it more difficult to source and manufacturing rates are still down on pre-covid levels.
Rocky Moutain Water Distillers, a major supplier of the purified product, has also identified a nationwide shortage of the plastic bottles used to package distilled water.
What are the benefits of distilled water?
Distilled water does not contain the same minerals that are present in spring water or tap water, an important source of minerals, so is not typically recommended for regular drinking, despite being safe to consume.
Where distilled water certainly has benefits is in devices like an iron, cooling systems or industrial machinery. The minerals present in non-distilled water can build up in and cause damage to the device.
Similarly, plants and fish may react negatively to the minerals that are found in regular water. Aquarium owners are often advised to use distilled water in fish tanks.
How can you make distilled water at home?
The distillation process involves heating water up to the point of evaporation so the H2O molecules turn into water vapour. This pure form of water can then be converted back into a liquid through the process of condensation, leaving you with distilled water. To be classed as distilled water the final product can have no more than 10 parts per million of total dissolved solids, meaning that it must be at least 99.999% H2O.
You can buy distillers to do this process, but it is fairly easy to do without the equipment if you have the time. Here’s how to distil water at home:
1. Place a large pan on a stovetop with eight cups of water, with a smaller pot floating atop the water in the pan. Ensure that there is plenty of room around the sides of the small pot to allow constant airflow.
2. Heat the pan to a medium heat, bringing the water to a steady simmer but being careful not to boil.
3. Place a curved lid on top of the large pan upside down, so the centre of the lid is lower than the sides of the pan. As the water vapour gathers on the underside of the lid it will condense and drop back into the smaller pot in distilled form.
4. To speed up the condensation process, place a bag of ice on top of the lid to cool the underside surface. With so much hot water vapour hitting the lid you will need to keep replacing the ice fairly regularly to keep it cold.
This method should allow you to produce distilled water at home. It’s not quick, but the process is easy to carry out in a home kitchen and requires very little equipment.
FAQs
There can be a shortage of distilled water due to various reasons, such as increased demand, limited production capacity, or disruptions in the supply chain. Distilled water is produced by boiling water and then condensing the steam back into liquid form, which removes impurities and minerals.
What is causing the distilled water shortage? ›
A combination of high demand and supply chain issues have led to a shortage of distilled water across the country. Distilled water is the purest form of H2O, stripped of all minerals and other substances and is typically needed for medical and industrial processes.
What to do if you run out of distilled water? ›
If distilled or filtered water is unavailable, you can consider using bottled water as an alternative. Look for bottles labeled as “distilled” or “purified” to help minimize mineral content. However, keep in mind that not all bottled waters are created equal, and some may still contain minerals and additives.
How do you make 100% distilled water? ›
The process of distilling is simple: Heat tap water to the point that it turns to vapor. When the vapor condenses back to water, it leaves behind any mineral residue. The resulting condensed liquid is distilled water.
What is the 3 causes of water shortage? ›
Water can be scarce for many reasons: demand for water may be exceeding supply, water infrastructure may be inadequate, or institutions may be failing to balance everyone's needs.
Can you buy distilled water in 5 gallons? ›
For many residential and commercial applications, our 5-gallon distilled water is the perfect choice. We'll arrange regular deliveries, so you'll have plenty of pure water for your needs without having to worry about running out.
Can I use boiled water instead of distilled water in my CPAP? ›
However, this may require you to clean your machine more thoroughly to prevent excessive mineral accumulation in the humidifier reservoir. Boiling tap water will kill microorganisms, but it will not remove minerals and salts. Therefore boiled tap water can still lead to mineral buildup in the CPAP machine.
Can boiled water be distilled water? ›
Once the water entirely vaporizes, that vapor is put into a clean container where it condenses back into pure water. So merely boiling the water will not distill it, it will only potentially remove few toxins.
Can I use drinking water instead of distilled water? ›
Both purified and distilled water are very healthy for you and are essentially the same. The main difference between the two is that purified water doesn't necessarily get rid of all of the healthy minerals that can be found in water, which isn't the case with distilled water.
What if I forgot distilled water for my CPAP machine? ›
Bottled water can be an option for people using a CPAP machine who don't have access to the recommended distilled products. A British study of 251 people who traveled with a CPAP machine found that, for the humidifier, it was safe for them to use tap water and other clean water sources including:3.
For many adults, the chemicals in non-distilled water are harmless. However, since babies have comparably weak immune systems, the chemicals that are present in tap or bottled water could put them at risk. Therefore, not only can babies drink distilled water, but it is the ideal choice.
At what age can you stop using distilled water? ›
Once your baby is over 6 months old you can give them tap water to drink, but be sure to use distilled cooled water for formula.
Is rainwater distilled water? ›
Rainwater is water that has been condensed from the clouds. The first drop is distilled water. But when it falls as rain, it picks up germs, dust, smoke, minerals, lead, and many other atmospheric chemicals.
How to make distilled water without electricity? ›
Distilled water can be made using a process called solar distillation. This involves using the heat of the sun to evaporate water, which is then collected and condensed back into a liquid form. A solar still can be made using basic materials such as a container, a glass cover, and tubing to collect the distilled water.
How long does it take to make homemade distilled water? ›
Cover the pot with an upside-down lid and cover it with ice cubes. Immediately turn the element on and let it get the water heat up or boil for 45 minutes, replacing the ice as needed. When done, the water collected in the glass bowl is distilled.
Can I use purified water in my CPAP? ›
Does Purified or Filtered Water Work as a Substitute for Distilled Water? Purified or filtered water can contain minerals that may lead to buildup in your CPAP machine, so it's best to use distilled water. The distilling process eliminates minerals, chemicals, and bacteria, leaving the purest possible water behind.
What minerals is distilled water missing? ›
Distilled water is safe to drink. But you'll probably find it flat or bland. That's because it's stripped of important minerals like calcium, sodium, and magnesium that give tap water its familiar flavor. What's left is just hydrogen and oxygen and nothing else.
Can ocean water be distilled? ›
The multistage-flash (MSF), MED, and vapor-compression (VC) processes have led to the widespread use of distillation to desalinate seawater. Distillation is a phase separation method whereby saline water is heated to produce water vapor, which is then condensed to produce freshwater.
Is purified water the same as distilled water? ›
Both purified and distilled water are very healthy for you and are essentially the same. The main difference between the two is that purified water doesn't necessarily get rid of all of the healthy minerals that can be found in water, which isn't the case with distilled water.
