Distilled Water vs RO Water: Differences, Uses and Which to Produce
- Distilled = boil and condense
- RO = membrane, much cheaper
- Batteries/labs ask for distilled
- Drinking water: RO
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Distilled vs RO: Comparison
| Distilled | Reverse osmosis | |
|---|---|---|
| Process | Boil, then condense steam | Pressure through a membrane |
| Purity | Very high | High (TDS usually very low) |
| Energy | High (heat) | Low (pump) |
| Output | Slow | Fast, scalable (LPH) |
| Typical uses | Batteries, labs, medical, steam irons | Drinking water, cooking, refill stations, industry |
Is Distilled Water Good for Drinking?
It is safe but tastes flat because it has no minerals. RO water is similar in purity for drinking and much cheaper to produce.
Distilled Water Business in Kenya
Garages, battery shops, labs and salons buy distilled or deionised water. Many producers in Kenya use RO followed by a deionisation (DI) stage rather than boiling, because it is far cheaper per litre. Check customer requirements and labelling rules before you sell.
RO Plants for Production
RO-400G-D02B 5-Stage RO SystemKSh 98,000
Htech 500lph Ro water purifierKSh 380,000
Htech 750lph Ro purifier plantKSh 500,000| Product | Price |
|---|---|
| RO-400G-D02B 5-Stage RO System | KSh 98,000 |
| Htech 500lph Ro water purifier | KSh 380,000 |
| Htech 750lph Ro purifier plant | KSh 500,000 |
Current listed prices incl. VAT (updated 7 October 2026).
Size your plant: RO plant size calculator; production cost: cost per litre.
Measure Purity
| Product | Price |
|---|---|
| TDS Handheld Meter | KSh 6,500 |
Current listed prices incl. VAT (updated 7 October 2026).
Watch: RO purifiers and water ATMs
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between distilled and RO water?
Distilled water is boiled and condensed; RO water is pushed through a membrane. Both are very pure; RO is far cheaper per litre.
Is distilled water better than RO water for drinking?
Not really; both are pure, and RO is cheaper. Neither has many minerals.
Can I use RO water in a car battery?
Battery makers usually ask for distilled or deionised water; RO followed by DI is commonly used.
Is a distilled water business profitable in Kenya?
It can be with steady buyers (garages, labs, salons) and low production cost, usually via RO + DI.
How is distilled water made?
By boiling water and condensing the steam into a clean container.