Filtered Water vs. Boiled Water - Which is Better?

What are the Differences?

Boiling water and filtering water are two proven methods to disinfect tap water, but which is better when it comes to actual water quality? What about chemicals, sediment, dissolved solids, and other harmful substances?

Everybody wants — and deserves — clean, safe water for drinking and washing in their homes and businesses. People might assume that their municipality’s water treatment plants take care of that issue and, to an extent, that’s true. However, sometimes municipalities have old systems that allow contaminants to enter pipes. Many times they also use chemicals, such as chlorine, to remove bacteria from water. 

In addition, when there’s a flood or another problem with the water treatment systems, municipalities sometimes issue boil water alerts. These alerts instruct residents to boil their water before drinking it or use bottled water instead. This leads people to think that boiling water — a practice that’s long been used to remove bacteria from water — is an alternative to filtering water. Let’s explore the difference between boiled water and filtered water.

Boiled Water

Boiling water and keeping it at a boil for at least one minute does remove most pathogens, viruses, and microorganisms. It’s a simple fact that most microorganisms can’t survive in temperatures above 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Bringing water up to its boiling point — 212 degrees Fahrenheit — is a safe way to kill them. 

One additional benefit of drinking boiled water is that it does not remove healthy minerals found in tap water. Minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium are beneficial to our bodies and improve taste. However, disadvantages to boiling tap water include the time and energy costs of the process. Also, boiling your water does not remove contaminants such as lead and chlorine. In fact, boiling water can actually concentrate contaminants in your water.

Filtered Water

Filtering water commonly involves using carbon media to attract a wide array of contaminants and then allowing the clean water to flow into a faucet or other water source. Filters remove the same bacteria and microorganisms that boiling does, but they also remove common contaminants in drinking water, including lead, chlorine, mercury, pesticides, herbicides, and more. 

Water filters also offer water on demand; the process is fast and efficient. Filters, such as countertop or under-sink systems, are installed at the point of use. Whole home filters are installed at the main water source in a home or business.

The only disadvantages to filtered water are the upfront costs of the system and the time it takes to install. There is also a small cost for replacement filters over time. However, these costs are minimal compared to the long-term costs of regularly buying bottled water. 

Bottom Line

Boiling water kills bacteria that may be present in water, but it does nothing to remove any other contaminants. In order to address other common water quality issues, a trusted water filter is your best solution.

WaterChef - Premium Water Filtration Products

WaterChef offers the highest-quality water filters. Our patented carbon filtration with Big Block™ technology removes 75 common tap water contaminants, leaving your water tasting great and still containing healthy minerals, such as calcium and potassium. Our filters are third-party tested and carry NSF/ANSI certifications, ensuring the structural integrity of the filtration systems, contaminant reduction performance, flow rate, and extraction. What’s more, we provide a Lifetime Limited Warranty on our point-of-use drinking systems and a Three-Year Limited Warranty on our shower systems.

Contact us today about an under-sink filter, countertop filter, or refrigerator filter. You might also want a shower filter to ensure you and your family wash with healthy water too.