Not all distilled water is created equal. With more and more low-cost options appearing online, it’s important to know the difference between genuine steam distilled water and misleading imitations that can pose serious health and equipment risks.
What Is Counterfeit Distilled Water?
Some sellers are mislabeling deionised or filtered water as “distilled.” These low-quality alternatives may still contain:
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Bacteria and microbes
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Heavy metals
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Hormones, pesticides, and chemical residues
That’s because only steam distillation completely removes both dissolved solids and biological contaminants.
Why It Matters: Health & Equipment Safety
Using impure water in sensitive equipment can be dangerous. For example:
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In CPAP machines or nebulisers, contaminated water can release bacteria into the airways.
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In laboratories, impurities can compromise test results.
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In irons, humidifiers, or medical devices, mineral build-up or corrosion can occur.
The UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) advises that water used in systems like humidifiers must be free of microbial contamination:
🔗 HSE Guidance – Legionella and Humidifier Safety
How The Somerset Clearwater Company Ensures True Water Purity
We manufacture and supply ultra pure steam distilled water right here in the UK. Every batch is:
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Produced through a multi-stage distillation process
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Tested in-house for bacteria and chemical contaminants
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Supplied with full certification and Safety Data Sheets (SDS)
We’re proud to offer complete transparency. You can download all relevant documentation directly from our website for peace of mind.
Want to learn more about safe water quality in health contexts?
🔗 WHO Water Quality Guidelines
Where to Buy Genuine Distilled Water
Whether you need water for a CPAP machine, steam mop, car battery, or industrial use, we supply ultra pure distilled water in quantities from 5 litres to 1000 litres—with fast, nationwide UK delivery.
👉 Browse Our Distilled Water Range
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the difference between distilled and deionised water?
Distilled water is created by boiling and condensing steam to remove all impurities, including bacteria and dissolved solids. Deionised water only removes charged ions and may still contain microbes or organic compounds.
2. Is distilled water safe for CPAP machines?
Yes, but only if it is genuine steam distilled water. It must be bacteria-free. Using low-quality or mislabeled water in CPAP machines can pose a risk of respiratory infection.
3. Do you provide certification or lab test results?
Yes. The Somerset Clearwater Company provides full certification and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all distilled water products, available for download on our website.
4. Can you drink distilled water?
Yes, distilled water is safe to drink. However, it contains no minerals like calcium or magnesium, so it's not recommended as your only source of drinking water over time.
5. How long does distilled water last?
Unopened distilled water can last up to two years if stored correctly. Once opened, it's best used within a few weeks and kept sealed to avoid contamination.
6. Is distilled water the same as purified water?
Distilled water is a type of purified water, but not all purified water is distilled. Distillation removes a wider range of contaminants including microbes and chemicals, making it one of the purest forms of water.
7. Is your distilled water suitable for irons, steam mops, or batteries?
Yes. Our ultra pure distilled water is ideal for use in steam irons, steam mops, facial steamers, and car batteries. It prevents limescale build-up and prolongs the life of your appliances.
8. Do you sell distilled water for industrial or trade use?
Yes. We offer distilled water in volumes from 5L to 1000L, with trade pricing and fast UK delivery. Perfect for industrial, commercial, or laboratory applications.
9. How is your distilled water produced?
We use a multi-stage steam distillation process, followed by strict testing to ensure our water is bacteria-free and chemically pure. All products are manufactured in the UK under tight quality control standards.
