TapSafetyReport

Tap Water vs. Distilled Water: What's the Difference?

·By TapSafetyReport Team·TapSafetyReport

What Is Tap Water?

Tap water comes from your local water utility, which sources it from surface water (rivers, lakes, reservoirs) or groundwater (wells, aquifers). Before reaching your faucet, it goes through treatment processes including filtration, disinfection, and sometimes fluoridation.

The EPA regulates tap water under the Safe Drinking Water Act, setting Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for over 90 contaminants. Your local utility must test regularly and report results annually in a Consumer Confidence Report.

What Is Distilled Water?

Distilled water is produced by boiling water into steam and then condensing it back into liquid. This process removes virtually all dissolved minerals, contaminants, and impurities. The result is water in its purest H2O form.

Key Differences

Mineral Content

Tap water contains dissolved minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium. These are generally beneficial and contribute to your daily mineral intake. Distilled water contains essentially zero minerals.

Contaminants

Tap water may contain trace amounts of regulated and unregulated contaminants, depending on your local water system's quality. Distilled water has had virtually all contaminants removed through the distillation process.

Cost

Tap water costs an average of $0.004 per gallon in the US. Distilled water costs $1-2 per gallon at stores, or requires an upfront investment in a home distiller ($100-500).

Taste

Most people find tap water has more flavor due to its mineral content. Distilled water tastes "flat" or "empty" because minerals that contribute to taste have been removed.

Which Should You Drink?

For most Americans, tap water is safe and cost-effective for daily drinking. The EPA's regulations ensure contaminant levels stay below health-based limits.

However, you may want to consider distilled or filtered water if:

  • Your city's water quality score is a D or F on TapSafetyReport
  • Your water system has recent health-based violations
  • You have a compromised immune system
  • You want to eliminate specific contaminants like lead or PFAS

Check Your Water First

Before deciding, check your city's actual water quality data. Search for your city on TapSafetyReport to see exactly what contaminants have been detected and whether they exceed EPA limits. Many cities have excellent water that requires no additional treatment.