Few humans look at it that way, but we all should. Most city water systems are either chlorinated or floridated, or both, and all too many are now contaminated by various minerals or chemicals. A recent independent study found that one person in five is now drinking water that violates federal health standards. Another study by a non-profit group found that approximately 7 million persons per year get sick from their drinking water, and this number is rising as water pollution continues to increase. Distilled in glass is best, but most expensive.
Distilled water is usually more expensive than other forms.
They remove taste and smells, but are almost useless for removing chemicals, but they do remove chlorine well. They also don't remove minerals, and all too often, the charcoal becomes saturated, and cannot adsorb more, so it stops removing even smell and taste. It has little taste or smell, and does have most of the minerals that are present in the source. Combination carbon and silver iodide. This does improve smell and taste like the carbon filter, and the silver iodide does kill bacteria, but too many dangerous chemicals can still pass thru.