Reed and Gizelle Pettingill, the founders of The Water Distiller Store, are passionate about clean water. After hearing a presentation about what is really in our drinking water, including atmospheric pollutants, factory emissions, chemicals, and more, they decided that they needed to help wake people up and let them see what was really going on. Because of their determination to learn the truth about safe water and bust through all the myths about safe/unsafe water practices, they are now water experts!

Their research was eye-opening. As of 2008, millions of people die every year from water related diseases1. 88% of the 4 billion cases of diarrhea each year, 1.8 million of which are deadly, are related to unsafe water, sanitation, and hygiene practices. Most of these cases are in developing countries, though waterborne diseases and illness are still found in developed countries. Alternatively, developed countries such as the U.S. have water that is so full of treatments and chemicals that it has become unsafe in a different way. Chlorine and fluoride, both of which are approved water treatments, may in fact have more harmful long-term repercussions than benefits.

At this point, spreading the message wasn’t enough. Even if people knew about what was really in their water, there wasn’t much they could do about it. They were determined to find a safe alternative to treated tap water and after much research decided to sell water distillers so people could make their own pure water for home use and office sanitation. They left the family farm and founded The Water Distiller Store in September of 1997. Their passion and determination to spread the message about safe water has grown ever since.

Reed and Gizelle were given the opportunity to make a water plant in Salt Lake City, Utah where water could be distilled in large quantities. After making the plant, Reed accepted a new job which gave the Pettingills the opportunity to travel the country. Through their travels they began to realize the impact they could have by spreading their message about safe water practices further, so they sold their store and opened their company up online. The Pettingills spread their message everywhere they go, and people and companies all over recognize the value of using distillers to purify their drinking water.

They themselves use one of their home distillers for drinking or cleaning fruits and vegetables, and many businesses such as dental offices use them for sanitizing equipment. Visit their blog to learn more about water and the distillation process, or view their distillers and get one of your own.