Almost everyone would like to improve their lifestyle and increase their longevity and a good place to start is by drinking purified water. Purified water is totally different from tap and well water and most other bottled water because purified water, unlike other forms of drinking water is contaminant free and, because it does not contain chlorine, tastes and smells great.

Purified water is not found in a natural form but rather results from processing tap or well water and removing harmful contaminants and minerals through one or more processes:

Examples of water treatment processes include:

Distillation. In this process, water is turned into a vapor. Since minerals are too heavy to vaporize, they are left behind, and the vapors are condensed into water again.

Reverse osmosis. Water is forced through membranes to remove minerals in the water.

Absolute 1 micron filtration. Water flows through filters that remove particles larger than one micron in size, such as Cryptosporidium, a parasitic protozoan.

Ozonation. Bottlers of all types of waters typically use ozone gas, an antimicrobial agent, to disinfect the water instead of chlorine, since chlorine can leave residual taste and odor to the water.

(Source: United States Food and Drug Administration)

What are the five basic principles behind the creation of purified water?

Principle One: Use The Most Effective Process: By far the most effective process is a combined Distillation/Ozonation process that removes the pure water from contaminants, minerals and bacteria without the addition of noxious substances like chlorine. Ozonation also adds the benefit of adding oxygen to distilled water to create a light, fresh taste.

Principle Two: Purchase Purified Water From A Supplier That Is Regulated By The Food And Drug Administration (FDA). Since water is defined as a food product, it is regulated by the FDA if the product is distributed through Interstate Commerce.

FDA inspection is more rigorous that the regulations used by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and inspections are more frequent. The EPA regulates municipal water agencies as well as chemical spills and has a different focus than the FDA. FDA inspection is better for food products like drinking water.

Individual water suppliers regulated by the FDA are required to have frequent, periodic inspections and produce the results on demand to the public at large.

Principle Three: Quality Of Bottles Is Important. Water in low quality plastic bottles reduces the health benefits of purified water. Quality water suppliers use quality bottles.

Principle Four: Sanitary Production Environment. Production of purified water requires a sanitary environment with approved clean rooms used at the bottling source. Production of purified water requires a culture of sanitation that other bottled water suppliers are not required to meet.

Principle Five: Delivery And Customer Service Completes The Process. Purification does not end at the bottling process but should continue until the customer is totally satisfied. Add to the culture of sanitation, the culture of customer satisfaction.

These principles are simple yet effective. If you are concerned about the water you drink and the health and well being of your family, consider the health benefits of purified water.