Where to buy distilled water in bulk?

[Desert Detail & More]

Where can you get distilled water in bulk? I think it is smarter to get water softner system from here, but over time which will end up cheaper? Replacing filters, vs buy distilled or purafied water...

 

[Setec Astronomy]

Are you talking about for putting in a mobile rig? Or using at your house or fixed location? If you're buying "distilled or purified water" you have to store it and pump it to use it (unless you're simply using it in a bucket for ONR). If you're mobile you already have a tank and pump, in a fixed location it makes a lot more sense to install treatment equipment (most likely deionization), which doesn't require storage and allows you to use city water pressure. Either way, talk to your local water treatment/soft water providers, places like Culligan, etc. Try the Yellow Pages (is there still such a thing as the Yellow Pages??).

 

[jbgrant]

If you decide to put together a system at your house/garage I would suggest building/buying a good quality reverse osmosis system instead of deionizing resin filters. It will save you huge money over the long term but does require the use of a storage tank size appropriately to your daily use. Your system should be tailored to you water source. You would need a membrane rated for 250GPD or > (unless you boost pressure you wont be able to generate more than 125GPD at city psi) and some carbon block filters in front of it to protect the RO membrane. If you need more water you will have to go bigger. You must use a system that limits permeate output so it doesn't waste a ton of water (permeate pump). I built a 50GPD system (100GPD membrane) in 2004 and do nothing but replace the carbon blocks once per year ($40) and it takes my city well water down to 15-40ppm dissolved solids from >500 (has real time measurement) which is plenty good for spotless rinsing. I only use about 20 GPD through it because I use it for final rinsing, diluting products, and around the house and not for a business. The system still performs as new and cost me <300$ in initial all American made components. So for ~7300 gallons per year I pay $70 if you figure the system has a 10 year life or just under a penny per gallon. Up-scaling for daily professional use will cost more initially but should be cheaper to maintain on a per-gallon basis. Some water sources are harder on RO membranes than others and will limit their lifespan; depends mostly on where you live.

Take Setec's advice and talk to you local companies about what solutions are best for your area and based on your needs, but just remember they are in the market of selling you a system for 300-400% of its actual value and cost to install yourself. Oh, and they usually don't care how efficient the system they're selling you is; some of them waste 2 gallons per gallon of filtered produced!

 

[Setec Astronomy]

Take Setec's advice and talk to you local companies about what solutions are best for your area and based on your needs, but just remember they are in the market of selling you a system for 300-400% of its actual value and cost to install yourself.

Yeah, well...if you are going to go DI you need someone to exchange the tanks. I have heard forum stories about getting great deals on that from local water softening companies. My own experience with the conglomeratized water treatment companies has been more like what you state, not cheap, with a yearly "contract" charge plus a fixed charge for tank change.

 

[kronos]

Have you considered buying a distiller? I got lucky and just picked up a PureWater Aqua D2000 locally, off of craigslist, for $100 bucks!

 

[jbgrant]

Distillers are cheap and easy, but the energy costs are $$$$$$$$$$$$$$. Most will cost you about a buck per 3 gallons distilled!

 

[kronos]

Distillers are cheap and easy, but the energy costs are $$$$$$$$$$$$$$. Most will cost you about a buck per 3 gallons distilled!

Yup, those are the estimates I've seen so far. Since I need to justify the cost to my primitive brain, I tell myself it's still cheaper and purer than bottled water.

 

[maximus20895]

Walmart sells purified water for .37 gallon here.