What is Spring Water? What is Distilled Water?

by | Jan 16, 2014 | Health and Hydration

Water Cooler Tales – Volume I

The primary difference between distilled water and spring water is the purification process, though there may also be differences when it comes to where the water comes from or how it is processed. In general, spring water has been pumped from a natural spring, and usually contains a number of minerals. Manufacturers filter it for impurities like dirt and bacteria, but typically leave the minerals and other naturally occurring elements in to improve the overall taste. Distilled water, on the other hand, is boiled for so long that the water molecules become vapour, essentially shedding both impurities and minerals. The result is a very pure product that contains basically nothing but hydrogen and oxygen.

People can typically drink both versions, though distilled water is not usually designed for hydration. While spring water is often marketed as a natural way to hydrate the body, distilled versions are more commonly used in settings that requite ultra-pure water, like heavy industry or scientific labs. It may also be recommended for use in household appliances since the lack of minerals means there won’t usually be any build-up over time.

Lack of Minerals

Distilled water has had all of the naturally occurring minerals in tap or well water removed. If you only drink distilled water, you may not consume enough of the minerals present in tap water, such as magnesium or calcium, according to the World Health Organization. Consistently drinking distilled water may cause a deficiency in one of the 14 micronutrients WHO identifies as necessary for your health.

Sourcing

One of the first things to think about when discussing distilled water and spring water is where each comes from. Spring water originates in natural ‘springs’, which are freshwater pools and streams that come from underground aquifers and are present in varying sizes in most parts of the world. Some springs are more renowned than others for their drinking water, and the mineral content can vary dramatically from place to place.

Distilled water might come from a spring, but it could just as easily come from a river, a reservoir, or even the ocean. Where distillation is concerned, the process is much more important than the source.

In the next volume, we’ll talk about further differences between spring water and distilled water and the best uses for both.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between spring water and distilled water?

The primary difference between spring water and distilled water lies in their purification processes. Spring water is typically sourced from natural springs and contains various minerals that contribute to its taste. It is filtered to remove impurities like dirt and bacteria but retains these naturally occurring elements.

Distilled water, however, undergoes a boiling process that turns water into vapour, removing both impurities and minerals. This results in a very pure form of water consisting mainly of hydrogen and oxygen, devoid of any additional elements.

Where does spring water come from?

Spring water is sourced from natural springs, which are freshwater pools and streams emerging from underground aquifers. These springs are found in various sizes across the globe and are known for their natural mineral content, which can differ significantly depending on the location.

Some springs are famous for their high-quality drinking water due to their unique mineral compositions. The mineral content not only affects the taste but also contributes to the water’s health benefits, making spring water a popular choice for natural hydration.

Does spring water contain any impurities?

Spring water is filtered to remove impurities such as dirt and bacteria, ensuring it is safe for consumption. However, it retains naturally occurring minerals and elements that are often considered beneficial for health and improve the taste.

The mineral content in spring water can vary greatly depending on its source, contributing to its unique flavour profile. These minerals, such as calcium and magnesium, are not considered impurities but rather essential nutrients that can support overall well-being.

Can distilled water be used in household appliances?

Yes, distilled water is commonly recommended for use in household appliances. The absence of minerals in distilled water means there is no risk of mineral build-up, which can occur with regular tap water.

This is particularly beneficial for appliances like steam irons, humidifiers, and coffee makers, where mineral deposits can cause damage or reduce efficiency over time. Using distilled water can help prolong the life of these appliances and maintain their performance.

Why might someone choose spring water over distilled water for drinking?

Many people choose spring water over distilled water for drinking due to its natural mineral content and taste. Spring water is often marketed as a natural way to hydrate the body, providing essential minerals that contribute to overall health.

In contrast, distilled water lacks these minerals, making it less appealing for regular consumption. While distilled water is very pure, the absence of minerals can make it taste flat or bland, which is why it is less commonly chosen for hydration purposes.

New Surfaces Make Water Bounce, Faster

by | Dec 18, 2013 | Water

Using a Rough Surface to Stay Dry

*Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Boston University have found a new clue to staying dry, and it has to do with time and texture.

James C. Bird, now of Boston University, and Kripa K. Varanasi at M.I.T. and their colleagues, were considering the problem of icing, which is a version of getting wet, and they decided to focus on the time a water drop stays in contact with a surface.

There is a maximum amount of time a water drop can touch frozen material before it freezes and sticks, causing all sorts of problems for wings and machinery, for starters.

They tested ways to shorten the amount of contact time, and recorded the tests with high-speed video, which they analysed. A smooth surface might seem most likely to repel water, but they found that a rough surface, with ridges, for example, worked better.

The key is the way a water drop changes shape and bounces off material that has been treated to make it super water-repellent. The drop flattens into a pancake, then recollects itself and bounces up.

Ridges broke up the drops, and the smaller droplets re-formed and bounced away up to 40 percent quicker than the larger drops.

With refinements, Dr. Varanasi said they hope to be able to cut the contact time by 80 percent. If it can then be adapted for industrial uses, it could benefit wind turbines, other kinds of machines, and even the fashion industry.

After their discovery, the scientist looked to nature to see if plants and animals had evolved the same trick. And they had. Although the lotus leaf is often thought of as highly water-repellent, nasturtiums did better, with a rougher surface. They also found the wings of the Morpho Butterfly bounce water off in the same way.

While we like to stay afloat (harf harf) of all topics water, we are in no way suggesting that you use your water cooler as a test site for anything.  Yes, that will include water spray ratio, rough surfaces; how high water will bounce off the carpet vs. the floorboards – none of it. We ask, as I’m sure your company does, that you use the water cooler for its primary purpose – supplying you with cool, fresh drinking water at the press of a button.

You may also wish to remember during these chilly winter months that AquAid also provide water boilers too. Anything you’d like to ask, drop us a line here.

*Excerpts from an article in the New York Times by James Gorman

Water Wheels

by | Dec 2, 2013 | Uncategorized

The water wheel was most likely first invented around 400BC. Its uses were multiple; including milling flour in gristmills and grinding wood into pulp for papermaking, but other uses include hammering wrought iron, machining, ore crushing and pounding fibre for use in the manufacture of cloth.

Water power was an important source of energy in ancient China civilization. One of the most intriguing applications was for iron.  Water power was also applied at an early date to grinding grain. Large rotary mills appeared in China about the same time as in Europe (2nd century BC). But while for centuries Europe relied heavily on slave- and donkey-powered mills, in China the waterwheel was a critical power supply.

Chinese waterwheels were typically horizontal (illustration left). The vertical wheel, however, was known. It was used to operate trip hammers for hulling rice and crushing ore.  The edge-runner mill was another commonly used crushing device. With the latter a circular stone on edge running around a lower millstone was used to pulverize. The edge runner appeared in China in the 5th century AD. Both the trip hammer and edge runner were not used in Europe until eight centuries later.

Throughout the first 13 centuries AD, technological innovations filtered slowly but steadily from the advanced East to the somewhat more backward West. Carried at first through central Asia over the 4,000-mile Silk Route and later by sea, some innovations were exported swiftly, while others (like waterwheel paraphernalia) took centuries.

The first description of a water wheel that can be definitely identified as vertical is from Vitruvius, an engineer of the Augustan Age (31 BC – 14 AD), who composed a 10 volume treatise on all aspects of Roman engineering.  One of the most remarkable Roman applications of a waterwheel was at Barbegal (illustration right) near Arles in southern France. Dating from the 4th Century AD, the factory was an immense flour mill which employed 16 overshot water wheels.

Some water wheels are fed by water from a mill pond, which is formed when a flowing stream is dammed. A channel for the water flowing to or from a water wheel is called a mill race or simply a “race”, and is customarily divided into sections. The race bringing water from the mill pond to the water wheel is a headrace; the one carrying water after it has left the wheel is commonly referred to as a tailrace.

Now you know. Of course, we at AquAid don’t make use of water wheels to bring your water to you, nor do we employ water wheels to dispense your cool, fresh drinking water, but rather a range of water coolers, all designed to best suit your requirements.