Whether you use purified water in your production process or just want to ensure the clarity of the water your associates drink, get some peace of mind with a water distiller. Distillers typically use carbon (like activated charcoal) or steam (boiling to produce water vapor) to distill the water, either alone or in combination.

Like papa bear, mama bear and baby bear, you can find a pure water distiller size that’s just right for your business needs. Three size ranges are:

1. Small or countertop distillers for office use;

2. Mid-size distillers with larger holding tanks for commercial needs;

3. Large distillation systems for industrial projects.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Think light with a home water distiller

Refine enough drinking water for light office or home use with a countertop distiller. Some use carbon filters and work manually, requiring no electricity to operate.

I recommend: ClearWater Products produces a manual carbon-filter and an electric water distiller for home and office. Crystal Clear Supply features undercounter filters and "whole house" filters, perfect for breakrooms equipped with a sink, coffee pot and refrigerator that makes or stores ice for employees' cold drinks.

Set up a commercial water distiller for mid-size manufacturing use

Mid-range water distillers typically use large storage tanks to hold reserves of purified water, ready to use in light commercial and industrial applications like entry-level bottling operations or small-batch pharmaceutical needs.

I recommend: Polar Bear Water Group has manufactured a stainless steel water distiller since 1977. Norland produces both multiple effect (multi-chamber) and vapor compression midsize distillers, with capacities ranging between 800 and 3,000 gallons of water per day.

Contract for a high-volume water distiller installation for heavy industry applications

For high-volume commercial and industrial applications, like ultra pure water for pharmaceuticals, supplying isolated facilities with drinking water or major water bottling operations, contact one of these companies to install your own full-scale distillery.

I recommend: Aqua Technology produces distillers with distillation rates as high as 96,000 gallons every 24 hours. For large-scale projects, MECO manufactures distilling plants for the biopharmaceutical, marine oil & gas industries and the military.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Solar water distillers use the 'rainwater' process of sun-driven evaporation and condensation. This organic process allows for natural pH buffering that produces excellent taste compared to steam distillation, that leaves water tasting flat due to being boiled. However, non-solar producers point out that if the water doesn't reach the actual boiling point, any bacteria present won't be killed; also, as the system must be sealed, VOCs in gas form (any herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers) could remain absorbed in the re-condensed water.