Water easily picks up and dissolves impurities. Metals, salts, anions and cations, and minerals are easily dissolved in it. This changes the properties of water and it does not remain colorless, odorless, and tasteless. Reverse Osmosis Water filters are required to fully remove TDS.
Our Pick for the Best Reverse Osmosis Systems
Removes solids smaller than 1 micron to purify drinking water
Introduces calcium, potassium and magnesium into purified water to remineralise it
Reduces over 74 contaminants, metals, pharmaceuticals and other chemicals
Targets chlorine and ammonia via carbon filtration
Tank needs to be maintained and kept clean
Modular all-in-one filter design for easy maintenance
Comes with a complete DIY-friendly installation kit
EPA approved and certified by leading drinking water environmental groups
More expensive than most systems
Why Trust Waterful.org?
Our water scientists and engineers spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and we never accept free products from manufacturers .
What Is TDS in Water?
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) refers to the elements dissolved in water. These include organics salts and organic matter dissolved in water that changes its composition. The most common organic salts dissolved in water include sodium, calcium, potassium, magnesium, sulfates, and chlorides.
These dissolved solids change the water composition and may make it unsafe for drinking.
Where Do Total Dissolved Solids Come from?
Most of the time, total dissolved solids in drinking water come from natural sources. A high TDS is also caused because of an urban run-off, sewage, industrial wastewater, or an abundance of chemicals used in the water treatment process. The hardware and pipes used to deliver water to your taps may also cause a high TDS level.
The main cause of elevated TDS levels in the U.S. is environmental factors. Seawater intrusion, salt deposits, carbonate deposits, and mineral springs all contribute to high TDS levels. However, these are not the only reasons for a high TDS level. It is also caused by anti-skid materials, de-icing of roads, stormwater, chemicals used in water treatment, wastewater discharges, and agricultural runoffs.
Effect of High Amounts of Total Dissolved Solids
Here is what water with a high level of TDS causes:
TDS Change in Taste
A high amount of total dissolved solids in water affects its taste. Your water may taste sulfuric, salty, or bitter depending on the different types of solids dissolved in it. This makes the water difficult to drink and it does not remain as healthy and refreshing as one would want it to be. Pure water is tasteless but added solids make it taste unpleasant.
TDS Affects Health
While water with high TDS may not be completely unsafe to drink, some solids can change its composition. Copper and lead dissolved in water not only changes its taste but also make it unsafe and unhealthy to drink. It can even lead to serious health issues that need medical attention.
TDS Affects the Taste of Food
Water with a high level of TDs also changes the taste of your food.
TDS Reduces the Life of Filters
The water filtration systems installed at your house are also affected by high levels of TDS. Filters need to be replaced more often. It is also important to check your water filtration systems and follow a proper maintenance schedule to ensure they are working in their best condition.
TDS Makes Cleaning Difficult
Cleaning with water high in TDS also makes cleaning a difficult task. It leaves ugly patches and spots on the floor. Utensils are also not properly cleaned. Water with high TDS also fades the color of your clothes and can lead to an increased buildup in faucets, tubs, and sinks.
Importance of Measuring TDS
Measuring the amount of total dissolved solids in water gives you an idea about the quality of water. TDS testers help you find out the levels of solids in water. There is a limit to the number of dissolved solids in water that does not change its composition. Anything above that makes the water unsafe for consumption.
Water with TDS higher than 1000mg/L is not fit for consumption. It can lead to several health issues. TDS levels in water increase with the presence of chlorides, sodium, and potassium. However, the water may become hazardous if consumed when toxic ions are abundant in it.
This includes arsenic cadmium, nitrate, and lead. These compounds can cause serious health issues, especially in children. Children don’t have a well-developed immune system and are therefore more sensitive to these contaminants and compounds.
Drinking Water TDS
As mentioned before, high levels of TDS can change the composition of water and make it unsafe for drinking. Here is a chart showing the different TDS levels in water and if they are safe for drinking or not.
| TDS Levels | Palatability Quotient |
| Between 50-150 | Excellent for drinking |
| 150-250 | Good |
| 250-300 | Fair |
| 300-500 | Poor |
| Above 1200 | Unacceptable |
How to Reduce the Amount of TDS in Water?
There are some measures you can take to reduce the amount of TDS in water. It can help you make your drinking water safe for consumption.
Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
One of the most effective ways to reduce TDS levels from drinking water is to install a reverse osmosis water filtration system in your home. Water is passed through a synthetic membrane under high pressure. This synthetic filter contains microscopic pores.
Only the particles that are smaller than 0.0001 microns can pass through the membrane. Salts and other metals dissolved in water are larger than this size. This prevents them from passing through the filter. Water molecules squeeze through the membrane and the impurities are left behind. This reduces the level of TDS in water and makes it fit for drinking and other domestic uses.
A reverse osmosis water filtration system will help you get clean and safe drinking water. It will prevent any health issues in you and your family.
It is important to only choose the best water filtration system and get it installed by experts. You must also change the filters in your reverse osmosis unit regularly so that the quality of drinking water is not affected over time.
Removes solids smaller than 1 micron to purify drinking water
Introduces calcium, potassium and magnesium into purified water to remineralise it
Reduces over 74 contaminants, metals, pharmaceuticals and other chemicals
Targets chlorine and ammonia via carbon filtration
Tank needs to be maintained and kept clean
Modular all-in-one filter design for easy maintenance
Comes with a complete DIY-friendly installation kit
EPA approved and certified by leading drinking water environmental groups
More expensive than most systems
Conclusion
High levels of total dissolved solids can lead to serious health issues. The presence of compounds such as arsenic and lead can even cause poisoning. Therefore, it is important to get your drinking water checked for its TDS levels. If the TDS levels are high, install a reverse osmosis water filtration system and get healthy and clean drinking water.
Leave a Reply