What is TDS in Water?

Water is regarded as a universal solvent because of its capacity to dissolve and absorb molecules from a wide range of substances. The total dissolved solids (TDS) level refers to the number of dissolved particles in a given volume of water.

There are two types of total dissolved solids: organic and inorganic. A picture of your water's overall quality can be painted by knowing your water's TDS level and which total dissolved solids are present.

Learn about the many categories of total dissolved solids, how to measure them, and how to lower total dissolved solids in your water in this article. 

What is TDS? 

Total Dissolved Solids, or TDS, is a term used to describe the overall concentration of dissolved materials in drinking water. TDS is made up primarily of inorganic salts, while some organic stuff is present as well.

The positively charged cations (calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium) and negatively charged anions make up inorganic salts (carbonates, nitrates, bicarbonates, chlorides, and sulfates). The quantity of total dissolved solids (TDS) in the water is measured by its TDS level.  

Why should you even measure TDS?
Total dissolved solids (TDS) can have an impact on your water quality, health, plumbing system at home, and even regular activities like cooking and cleaning. You may better understand your water quality and how it affects your daily life by measuring the TDS in your water. This will help you decide how to fix your water quality issue and install the best filtration system for your house.

1. Taste & Smell

Tap water that has a high level of total dissolved solids (TDS) can taste harsh and smell bad. Your water will taste more bitter the greater the total dissolved solids concentration. 


2. Maintenance of Filters 
Although they are susceptible to regular wear and tear, water filtration systems are a wonderful way to lower total dissolved solids. TDS testing on a regular basis will ensure that your filtration system is functioning properly and can let you know when a repair is necessary. 

3.  Plumbing & Appliances

Hard water is water that has high concentrations of dissolved calcium and magnesium, which can lead to high TDS levels. When calcium and magnesium salts dissolve, they build up in pipes and cause scale production, which reduces the lifespan of your appliances and necessitates expensive pipe replacements.

To filter calcium and magnesium and to minimize scale buildup, a water softener is advised. 

4. Health-Related Issue

Drinking water with high TDS isn't always bad for you, but lead and copper are both harmful to your health.

For instance, exposure to lead can harm the brain and nervous system, and exposure to copper at high doses can make one feel queasy. To filter out heavy metals, use a water distiller or a reverse osmosis system.
 
Also check: 
Buy Reverse Osmosis System in Niles
Water Softener Salt Delivery in Niles

How is TDS determined?
Total dissolved solids (TDS), also known as parts per million (PPM), are quantified as a volume of water with the unit milligrams per liter (mg/L) (ppm).

The suggested maximum TDS level for your drinking water is 500 ppm, according to EPA secondary drinking water rules. TDS is dangerously high at any measurement over 1000 ppm. A filtration system might not be able to effectively filter TDS if the level exceeds 2000 ppm.

 
TDS Level chart for Drinking Water

S in Water (measured in PPM)                                     Suitability for Drinking Water
Between 50-150                                                              Excellent for drinking
150-250                                                                             Good
250-300                                                                             Fair
300-500                                                                             Poor, not good for drinking
Above 1200                                                                      Unacceptable

Ways to calculate TDS

The following formula can be used to determine the % rejection of TDS and gauge the effectiveness of your reverse osmosis system if you have one.

By dipping the tester's probes into a glass of tap water, you may determine the TDS of raw feed water. Note the outcomes.

By pouring RO water (from the RO faucet) into a glass and dipping the tester's probes into the liquid, you may determine the TDS of your RO water. Note the outcomes.
Apply the following formula to determine the percentage of rejection:

% Rejection = [(Tap TDS - RO TDS)/ Tap TDS ] * 100 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the best TDS level for drinking water?
Ans: Generally, the TDS level between 50-150 is considered the most suitable and acceptable.

2. Is a high TDS level bad or harmful for health
Ans: If the TDS level is about or above 1000 PPM, it is unsafe and unfit for human consumption

Conclusion: 
I hope this article has cleared all your doubts regarding TDS and why it is so important to measure it. If you still have any doubts please ask them in the comment section.