Do you know how much TDS is in your water?
TDS, or Total Dissolved Solids, is a measure of the dissolved minerals and metals in water. There is a lot of debate over TDS in drinking water and whether too much or too little affects your health. Some people say that anything below 500 parts per million (ppm) is ideal, while others believe that levels up to 1,000 ppm are still safe. On the other hand, many people worry that low levels of TDS are not safe because the water lacks many of the minerals we need for good health.
In this blog post, we will explore the research on TDS and water quality to help you decide what level of TDS in your water is best for your health!
Table of Contents
What is TDS
TDS is a measure of the dissolved minerals and metals in water. This includes things like calcium, magnesium, sodium, chloride, sulphate, and carbonate. Here is a partial list of TDS compounds found in drinking water:
- Aluminum
- Arsenic
- Bicarbonates
- Calcium
- Carbonate
- Chloride
- Chlorine
- Copper
- Fluoride
- Herbicides
- Iron
- Lead
- Magnesium
- Manganese
- Pesticides
- Potassium
- Sodium
- Sulfates
- Zinc
The amount of TDS in water varies depending on where it comes from. If your water is taken from a river or stream, it likely has lower levels of TDS than if it comes from groundwater. Water in a below ground aquifer is in contact with rocks and minerals, so it can pick up more dissolved solids.
TDS is measured in parts per million (ppm). This means that if your water has a TDS level of 500 ppm, there are 500 milligrams of dissolved minerals and metals in one liter of water.
Where does TDS come from?
Total dissolved solids in water comes from a variety of sources. Some of the minerals dissolved in water are naturally occurring, while others come from human activity.
Natural sources of TDS include:
- Dissolved minerals in rocks and soil
- Decaying leaves and other organic matter
- Run off from agricultural land
Human sources of TDS include:
- Wastewater discharge from factories, mines, and sewage treatment plants
- Leaking septic tanks
- Acid rain
What is the normal level of TDS in drinking water?
Drinking water can have varying amounts of TDS depending on where it comes from, whether or not it is treated, and several other factors. The average TDS concentration in US tap water is 350 ppm. Water between 50 and 250 ppm is generally considered to be of very good quality according to taste tests. Once the concentration reaches 300 ppm and higher, the quality decreases. TDS levels above 500 ppm are generally considered to be undrinkable – at least based on how it tastes.
| TDS Concentration (ppm) | Suitability for Drinking |
| Between 50-150 | Excellent for drinking |
| 150-250 | Good quality |
| 250-300 | Fair |
| 300-500 | Poor, not good for drinking |
| Above 1,200 | Unacceptable |
Is there a maximum safe TDS concentration for drinking water?
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set the maximum contaminant level goal for TDS in drinking water at 500 ppm. This means that they believe that water with TDS levels below 500 ppm is safe for human consumption.
However, the EPA does not have a regulation for TDS in drinking water. This means that there is no law requiring water utilities to meet this goal.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has set a guideline for TDS in drinking water of 1000 ppm. This means that they believe that water with up to 1000 ppm of TDS is safe for human consumption.
Water with TDS levels below 500 ppm is considered fresh water. Water with TDS levels above 500 ppm is considered brackish water.
Brackish water is not necessarily unsafe to drink, but it doesn’t taste good and can have a negative impact on your health if you drink it over a long period of time.
If you are concerned about the TDS level in your drinking water, you can use a treatment system such as those described below to remove it.
Importance of TDS in Drinking Water
TDS can have negative impacts on your drinking water is the levels are too high. TDS levels that are too high can make water taste bad and can also be harmful to your health.
High TDS levels in drinking water can be caused by a number of things, including:
- Dissolved minerals in the water
- Pollutants from factories or power plants
- Runoff from agricultural fields
Taste and Odor
The first thing you’ll notice if the TDS levels in your drinking water are too high is that it will start to taste bad. This is because the dissolved minerals in the water can make it taste salty, metallic, or even bitter. If the TDS levels in your water are really high, you might also notice
Scaling
High TDS levels can also cause a build-up of scale on your fixtures and plumbing. This is because the dissolved minerals in the water will precipitate out as the water evaporates, leaving behind a hard, chalky residue.
If you have hard water, you might notice that your dishes have a chalky film on them after you wash them, or that your shower head is starting to get clogged with mineral deposits.
Cooking
High TDS levels can also make it difficult to cook with your water. This is because the dissolved minerals can interact with the food you’re trying to cook, changing the taste and texture.
For example, if you’re boiling pasta in water with a high TDS level, the pasta will absorb some of the dissolved minerals and might taste salty or metallic.
Bathing
Soap can also have a hard time lathering in water with high TDS levels. This is because the dissolved minerals can interact with the soap, making it difficult to form a lather.
If you’ve ever noticed that your shampoo doesn’t seem to suds up as much when you’re showering in hard water, this is why.
Washing clothes
High TDS levels can also make it difficult to wash your clothes. This is because the dissolved minerals can interact with the detergent you’re using, making it less effective.
You might notice that your clothes seem dirtier after you wash them in hard water, or that they’re not as bright and colorful as they used to be.
Health concerns
In general, drinking water with high TDS levels is not going to be harmful to your health. While there is no definitive answer on whether or not water with high TDS levels is harmful to your health, many people worry that it can have negative impacts.
How Can I Remove TDS from my Water?
If you are concerned about the levels of TDS in your drinking water, there are several treatment technologies that are very effective at removing it.
Water softener
Water softeners are designed to remove hardness from water. Hardness is caused by dissolved minerals, such as calcium and magnesium. Water softeners work by exchanging the hardness-causing minerals for sodium or potassium ions.
Reverse osmosis
Reverse osmosis is a process that forces water through a very fine membrane, trapping the dissolved minerals on one side of the membrane and allowing only pure water to pass through.
Distillation
Distillation works by boiling water and then condensing the steam back into water. This leaves behind any dissolved minerals, as they will not evaporate along with the water.
Measuring TDS in Drinking Water
TDS can be measured with a TDS meter, which is a simple and inexpensive tool that you can use at home. To use a TDS meter, you simply dip it into a glass of water and wait for the reading to stabilize.
The reading on the TDS meter will be in parts per million (ppm), and will give you an indication of how much dissolved minerals are in the water.
TDS levels can vary depending on where you live, as well as the treatment methods that are used by your water supplier.
In general, the TDS level in drinking water should be below 500 ppm. However, there is no definitive answer on what the ideal TDS level should be.
FAQs
Is 25 ppm TDS safe to drink?
Water with a TDS level of 25 ppm is safe to drink. However, this level is very low and may have an off taste to some.
Is 30 ppm TDS safe to drink?
Water with a TDS level of 30 ppm is safe to drink. This level is considered ideal for many people, as it has a good taste and provides many health benefits.
Is 50 ppm TDS safe to drink?
Drinking water with 50 ppm levels of TDS is considered safe to drink. In addition, this is considered to be “high quality” drinking water by many people.
Is low TDS water is harmful?
Water with low TDS levels is not harmful to drink. However, it may have an off taste and may not provide as many health benefits as water with higher TDS levels.
What is the ideal TDS level for drinking water?
There is no definitive answer on what the ideal TDS level should be. However, many people believe that a TDS level of 30 ppm is ideal.
What should the TDS of RO water be?
The TDS of RO water should be below 150 ppm.
My Take on TDS in Drinking Water
TDS in drinking water is important to consider for a variety of reasons. Taste, scaling, cooking, bathing and washing clothes are all affected by the level of TDS in your water. Additionally, there are health concerns related to high levels of TDS in drinking water.
If you are concerned about the level of TDS in your water, there are several ways you can remove it. A water softener or reverse osmosis system are two common methods. Regardless of the method you choose, be sure to measure the TDS level in your drinking water so that you can make sure you are getting the best possible quality water for your needs.