(NaturalNews) The most fundamental element of health is having a source of pure water. However, in our increasingly toxic world, finding it is a challenge. The purest water possible is Distilled water, which is pure H20. Distilled water is produced at home using a machine. It takes about an hour to produce a gallon and costs about 30-75 cents (up from 10-25 cents only a few years ago). There are both electric and non-electric models.
The author has consumed mostly distilled water for the past ten years, using distillers from one company: Waterwise. With over 30 years of experience, Waterwise produces some of the highest quality water distillers and also provides top notch service and replacement parts. This article will explore the different models produced by Waterwise. First however, we will explore the many different types of water that are available.
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Types of Water
With so many types of water it is important to briefly review them.
Tap Water
Municipal tap water is loaded with contaminants, including sodium fluoride, chlorine, lead, mercury, and a cocktail of pharmaceutical residues. Some areas are better than others. While one gets used to the taste of their local water, travelers can more easily taste these residues.
Filtered Water (Pitcher-style)
Using a pitcher-style polishing filter is a joke and you might as well just pour your water through a spaghetti strainer. A distiller uses a polishing filter as a last step, mainly to remove the subtle flavors of metal that are picked up during condensation (similar to how water from a steel kettle tastes after it is cooled). The polishing filter mainly just makes the water taste better.
Soft and Hard Water
While normal water is pH 7.0, softened or hardened water have different pH and a variation in calcium and magnesium cations. On one extreme, softened water (artificially having less ions, pH8.5) — leads to the buildup of undesired minerals. Neither is advised.
Bottled Water
Bottled water normally comes in plastic, is shipped an average of 1200 miles, and uses a good percentage (around 25%) its weight in fuel for production and travel costs. It also externalizes the cost of plastic waste (see the Great Pacific Garbage Patch). Bottled water shipped in plastic contains residues and PCBs from the plastic and often more bacteria than tap water. Bottled water is basically imported sink water from a far away sink.
Spring Water
In the old days you brought your own bottle to the spigot at the town spring. This is more rare nowadays, and even if your town does have this there are some problems with this method. First, there are many companies that try to pose as spring water when they are really just municipal water. Also, many springs have been contaminated. If you happen to live near pure springs this is the ideal water.
Well Water
Provided you have the water tested, well water is close to ideal but most don’t have that luxury.
Reverse Osmosis Water
Reverse osmosis is a close second to distilled water. The advantage is that one unit can filter the main line to a home so that all the taps deliver pure water (assuming the pipes are sound). This would provide a means to water the plants and garden with filtered water. However these cost several thousand dollars and the filter must be changed regularly or the water can have more contaminants than regular tap water.
Distilled Water
Distilled water is pure H2O. It is pure condensed steam, as nature intended. However bottled distilled water should be avoided as it is usually stale water and it is so pure it leeches plastic and other contaminants from the low grade plastic container. A home distiller (while it does use about 35 cents of electricity per gallon) is the best option. These use high-grade non-leaching (blue tinted PP #5) bottles, such as the 5 gallon jugs that (once upon a time) were featured in most office buildings, which are also safe.
After producing a gallon of distilled water you can see what is left in the chamber. It is not a pretty site, a stinky concoction of toxins that smells like a sewer. Those who are convinced these are important minerals can have some free — simply write to the author.
There are several myths with distilled water:
Myth #1: Distilled water has had all of the beneficial minerals removed.
Suggesting that people absorb minerals from water is like saying they can absorb iron by licking a rusty nail. The minerals in water are like boulders and our cell membranes are like fine mesh screens. Thus, non-chelated minerals (those not refined by plants into bioavailable form) in water are simply not fine enough to be absorbed into our cells. Not to mention the vast majority of substances in water do not belong there. Sodium fluoride, chlorine and pharmaceutical chemicals are just some of the nasty substances in your tap water. Meanwhile most bottled water contains bacteria and plastic residues. If you are really concerned about getting your required minerals, you should just take an extra bite of a banana or something. Finally, the amount of minerals in water is so small that you would need to drink over 500 glasses to get your daily recommended allowance of most minerals.
Myth #2: Distilled water leeches important minerals from the body.
Some claim that distilled water is too pure, so pure that it is harmful. However, studies have shown this to be false. Water cannot strip away minerals that are already part of our cells. Rather, it can only pick up minerals that are already loose, those which have already been rejected by cells.
Myth #3: Distilled water becomes acidic.
Distilled water has a normal pH of 7.0 and is not soft (alkalizing) or hard (acidic) water.
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Waterwise Distillers
A home electric water distiller, even with current $4 gas prices, can produce a gallon of water for about 35 cents worth of electricity. In our increasingly impure world, perhaps having something that is “too” pure can serve as a balancing measure. Waterwise provides several models.
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Model 1600 (Non-Electric)
This model can produce pure distilled water on a non-electric heat source such as a campfire or stovetop. It does use more energy, about 2-3 times more than electric, but it is a great product to have for an emergency. It costs about $400. The author has had this model and recommends it.
* Pros: Reliable, durable model to use when electric power is not available.
* Cons: Doesn’t have a one gallon chamber but rather, a smaller canteen. Takes longer to produce a gallon and hence uses more energy.
Rating: 4/5 stars. Recommended.
Cost: $429.
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Model 4000 (1 Gallon, External Collection Chamber)
This model is electric but has an external water collection chamber. The model 4000 provides the most affordable method of producing distilled water at home. The author has had this model and recommends it.
* Pros: Pure distilled water in more affordable unit.
* Cons: Requires more space, exterior collection chamber, less aesthetic appeal.
Rating: 3/5 stars. Worthwhile.
Cost: $379.
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Model 9000 (1 Gallon, Internal Collection Chamber (front))
This model is electric and has a built-in water collection chamber. and produces a gallon of water in about one hour. The collection chamber is positioned in front of the boiler chamber. It requires some maintenance, including an annual brush-cleaning which only takes a few minutes. The author currently uses this model and highly recommends it.
* Pros: Fast, clean water production. Low counter space usage with aesthetic appeal.
* Cons: Cup filter must be changed every 2 months, a 5 minute process. Unit requires cleaning annually and service/replacement parts every 3 years. Given the output, this is to be expected.
Rating: 5/5 stars. Highly Recommended.
Cost: $499
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Model 8800 (1 Gallon, Internal Collection Chamber (side))
While the number suggests this is an earlier model, and the model 8800 is actually is a more modern version of the model 9000 distiller. Featuring an LCD screen and carafe that fits in the refrigerator, the model 8800 produces a gallon of water with the touch of a button. The collection chamber is positioned to the side of the boiler chamber. The author has not used this model personally but a trusted source at Natural News highly recommends it.
* Pros: Sleek, modern design. Fast production of one gallon of distilled water.
* Cons: Odd numbering scheme.
Rating: 5/5 stars. Highly Recommended.
Cost: $499
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Model 7000 (8 Gallon)
This fully automatic family-size unit is a large model that produces 9 gallons in 24 hours. With storage for 8 gallons, this unit weighs in at 37 pounds. If you can afford it, this is the best option and would provide water for all of your uses including drinking, tea, pets, pasta, rice, lemonade, plants and even washing. The author has not used this model and manages to use the other models to achieve the above uses, though producing 3 gallons per day is somewhat time consuming.
* Pros: Automatic production of all the water you could possibly need for a household.
* Cons: Large size and cost. Maintenance. Odd numbering sequence.
Rating: 4/5 stars. Recommended.
Cost: $1700-$2200.
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Service and Warranty
Waterwise provides great service and warranties for both parts and repairs. The few times the author has needed repair they sent a new unit free upon receiving the broken part.
* Pros: Fast replies via email. Small company feel yet over 30 years experience.
* Cons: Some repairs can be expensive and/or time consuming.
Rating: 5/5 stars. Highly Recommended.
Cost: (Varies)
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Summary:
Distilled water is the purest water and Waterwise produces affordable, high quality models and has reliable service. Waterwise also has shower and air filters available. Overall, Waterwise scored 26 out of a possible 30, a combined score of 87% (Recommended).
See their website: (www.waterwise.com) for more information.
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Scoring System:
5/5 Highly Recommended
4/5 Recommended
3/5 Worthwhile
2/5 Questionable
1/5 Not Recommended
0/5 Hazardous
Disclaimer: As with all Natural News product reviews, the author and publisher do not receive any compensation from the company being reviewed. The views expressed in this article are the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Waterwise or Natural News.
About the author
Neil McLaughlin is a computer scientist specializing in 3d graphics and simulation. He can be reached at naturalnews461 (at) yahoo (dot) com.
