Which Water Type Is the Purest?

When it comes to drinking water, purity matters. Clean and safe water keeps us healthy, hydrated and refreshed all day. But with so many types of water out there — from tap to distilled, spring, mineral and filtered — many people wonder: which water is the purest? For short, reverse osmosis filtered water is the best for daily drinking.

In this post we'll go over different types of water, their pros and cons and ultimately the purest choice for drinking. We'll also talk about why more and more households are turning to reverse osmosis water filtration systems for long term clean water solutions.

Pure water means water that's free from contaminants, chemicals and harmful microorganisms. While most municipal water supplies in Canada are treated and generally safe to drink, they may still contain chlorine, fluoride, heavy metals, pesticides and even microplastics .

These substances can affect not just the taste of water but long term health. That's why many households look for ways to improve water quality and get the purest drinking water possible.

Tap water is the most common water source in households. It's treated and disinfected before it reaches our homes. However it can contain chlorine, fluoride and traces of contaminants from old pipes.

• Pros: Affordable and easily available.
• Cons: May have an unpleasant taste, odor and impurities.

Spring water comes from natural springs, usually bottled at the source. It's often marketed as fresh and pure but the actual quality depends on the source and how it's processed.

• Pros: Naturally filtered through rocks so it has minerals.
• Cons: Not necessarily the cleanest option; may still have bacteria or pollutants.

Related article: Is Dasani Water Good for You? A Canadian's Guide

Mineral water is sourced from underground reservoirs and has naturally occurring minerals like calcium, magnesium and potassium. While these minerals are good for us the water may not always be free of impurities.

• Pros: Has beneficial minerals.
• Cons: More expensive and not always the cleanest.

Distilled water is created by boiling water and collecting the steam leaving behind contaminants. This process removes almost everything including minerals.

• Pros: Extremely pure; free from most contaminants.
• Cons: Flat taste; no essential minerals; not ideal for daily drinking.

Filtered water is tap water that has gone through a filtration process removing chlorine, heavy metals and other impurities. Purity depends on the filter used.

• Pros: Cleaner and better tasting than regular tap water.
• Cons: Quality varies depending on the filter.

Reverse osmosis water is produced using an advanced filtration process that removes up to 99% of contaminants including heavy metals, chemicals and microorganisms.

• Pros: One of the purest and safest types of water available; tastes fresh and clean.
• Cons: Removes some minerals (though these are usually obtained from food).

If we compare all options, distilled water and reverse osmosis water are the cleanest in terms of impurity removal. Distilled water is very pure but lacks essential minerals and has a flat taste which makes it less ideal for daily drinking.

Reverse osmosis water stands out as the purest and most practical choice. It removes harmful contaminants and provides great tasting water ideal for daily hydration. Many systems now even add back essential minerals to balance taste and nutrition.

Click here to learn more about Can You Drink Distilled Water?

This is a common question. While distilled water is technically pure, it lacks natural minerals. Drinking it long term can sometimes lead to mineral deficiencies if the diet is poor. Reverse osmosis water on the other hand strikes a balance — it's extremely clean but still safe and enjoyable for daily drinking.

That's why most health experts recommend reverse osmosis water over distilled water for households.

The most effective way to get pure water at home is by installing a water filtration system. While pitcher filters and faucet filters provide some improvement, they don't remove all contaminants. A reverse osmosis water filter system is the most reliable solution for clean water.

These systems are easy to install under the sink, require minimal maintenance and provide purified water for cooking, drinking and even making baby formula.

Not all reverse osmosis systems are the same. Many families are now turning to Waterdrop reverse osmosis water filters because they combine powerful filtration technology with convenience.Multi-stage filtration: Removes chlorine, lead, PFAS and bacteria.

• Space-saving: Compact and modern design fits any kitchen.
• Cost-effective: Long filter life means less replacement.
• Smart features: Some models have TDS monitoring and real-time filter status.

For households looking for the purest water, a Waterdrop RO system gives you peace of mind and healthy hydration every day.

Not always. Some bottled waters are just filtered tap water. Reverse osmosis filtration at home is often cleaner and more sustainable.

Boiling kills bacteria but doesn't remove chemicals, heavy metals or microplastics. It improves safety but not overall purity.

Yes, it's perfect for cooking. Pure water enhances the taste of soups, coffee and tea while avoiding contamination.

When asking, “Which water type is the purest?”, the answer is clear: reverse osmosis water. It's the right balance of purity, safety and taste for daily hydration.

If you want to have clean water at home without relying on bottled water, investing in a reverse osmosis filtration system — like a Waterdrop RO system — is a smart move. It gives you peace of mind, better health and refreshing water for the whole family.