<P> Mixed bed deionization is a 50 / 50 mixture of cation and anion resin combined in a single ion exchange column . With proper pretreatment, product water purified from a single pass through a mixed bed ion exchange column is the purest that can be made . Most commonly, mixed bed demineralizers are used for final water polishing to clean the last few ions within water prior to use . Small mixed bed deionization units have no regeneration capability . Commercial mixed bed deionization units have elaborate internal water and regenerant distribution systems for regeneration . A control system operates pumps and valves for the regenerants of spent anions and cations resins within the ion exchange column . Each is regenerated separately, then remixed during the regeneration process . Because of the high quality of product water achieved, and because of the expense and difficulty of regeneration, mixed bed demineralizers are used only when the highest purity water is required . </P> <P> Demineralization is often a term used interchangeably with deionization . Demineralization is essentially removing all the minerals that can be found in natural water . This process is usually done when the water will be used for chemical processes and the minerals present may interfere with the other chemicals . All chemistic and beauty products have to be made with demineralized water for this reason . With the demineralization process, the water is "softened" replacing the undesired minerals with different salts (NaCl). Demineralized water has a higher conductivity than deionized water . </P> <P> Other processes are also used to purify water, including reverse osmosis, carbon filtration, microporous filtration, ultrafiltration, ultraviolet oxidation, or electrodialysis . These are used in place of, or in addition to, the processes listed above . Processes rendering water potable but not necessarily closer to being pure H O / hydroxide + hydronium ions include the use of dilute sodium hypochlorite, ozone, mixed - oxidants (electro - catalyzed H O + NaCl), and iodine; See discussion regarding potable water treatments under "Health effects" below . </P> <P> Purified water is suitable for many applications, including autoclaves, hand - pieces, laboratory testing, laser cutting, and automotive use . Purification removes contaminants that may interfere with processes, or leave residues on evaporation . Although water is generally considered to be a good electrical conductor--for example domestic electrical systems are considered particularly hazardous to people if they may be in contact with wet surfaces--pure water is a poor conductor . The conductivity of sea - water is typically 5 S / m, drinking water is typically in the range of 5 - 50 mS / m, while highly purified water can be as low as 5.5 μS / m (0.055 μS / cm), a ratio of about 1,000,000: 1,000: 1 . </P>

Whats the difference between purified water and drinking water