Healthy drinking water should contain adequate minerals that would keep you and your family healthy. At the same time, if the water that you are drinking contains excessive minerals, it would become a problem for your body. Therefore, the water that you drink should ideally have a proper balance in TDS limits.

What is TDS in Water?

Soil usually remains polluted by wastage, chemicals, and pesticides, and the water flow on the ground, which takes almost every kind of mineral with it that is present in the soil. The same water flows through metallic pipes and thus brings along with it more solid particles. These dissolved impurities that are present in the water are called the Total Dissolved Solids or TDS. TDS can be expressed in mg/l or it can be referred to as “parts per million” ppm.

Why Measure TDS Level of Water?

Now that you have understood that water contains TDS in it, but it should be at the proper level. Bureau of Indian Standards and WHO” has set a level that explains the presence of TDS in water, which should not exceed its limit. If it crosses the limit, it would be unfit for human consumption.

According to World Health Organization (WHO), your drinking containing a TDS level that is lower than 300mg/l would be considered as the ideal level and you can it is excellent for drinking. If the TDS level in water is between 300 – 600 it is good, between 600 – 900 ppm it is fair to drink. The drinking water if it is between 900 – 1200 or above 1200 ppm, is termed as poor and unacceptable for drinking.

On the other hand, as per the “Bureau of Indian Standards”, the perfect concentration of TDS that should be present in the drinking water is lower than 300mg/l. It has also set the maximum limit of TDS in water and the permissible measure is 600mg/l.

How to ensure you are drinking water with a Proper TDS level?

Everyone should drink pure water that has a proper measure of TDS level in it, but there are many parts of the country, where people don’t get clean drinking water and with the expected TDS level in it. This makes the people suffer from several diseases. Well, the solution is to have an RO water purifier that has a TDS controller in it. RO water purifier can no doubt clean the impurities from the raw water, but it also removes the essential minerals from water, you may ask, is the RO water purifier the best option? In this case, the TDS controller can assist in retaining the minerals in the water.

Talking about RO water with a TDS controller, you would find a wide range of water purifiers in the market, which you can opt for. There are different brands in the market like KENT, Aquaguard, HUL, Tata Swach, and many others. All these brands are best in offering excellent pieces of water purifiers that come added to the latest purification technology. Just select the best RO water purifiers from the wide range and install them in your home to drink pure water with proper TDS level in it. All you need to check is the price range that suits your budget. Before you purchase any water purifier, it would be better to go through a water purifier buying guide, so that you can pick the right machine for your home.

Drink pure and stay healthy!

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Things You Should Know About TDS in Water to Remain Healthy

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) refers to the total concentration of dissolved substances (minerals, salts, metals, and other compounds) in water. These solids can be organic or inorganic and are measured in parts per million (ppm). The level of TDS in drinking water plays an important role in its taste, quality, and health benefits. Here’s everything you need to know about TDS in water to ensure you’re drinking healthy water.

1. What is TDS?

• TDS is the measurement of the total amount of dissolved solids in water, including minerals like calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium, as well as salts, metals, and other inorganic and organic matter.

• It is commonly measured in parts per million (ppm), with higher values indicating a higher concentration of dissolved solids.

2. How TDS Affects Water Quality

a. Impact on Taste

• Low TDS Water: Water with low TDS (below 50-150 ppm) may taste flat or bland because it lacks essential minerals. This is often the case with distilled or demineralized water.

• Moderate TDS Water: Water with moderate TDS (200-500 ppm) usually tastes pleasant and is considered ideal for drinking. This range provides a balanced amount of minerals, contributing to a pleasant taste.

• High TDS Water: Water with a high TDS level (above 1000 ppm) can taste salty, bitter, or unpleasant. It may contain high concentrations of salts, heavy metals, and other contaminants, which can negatively affect taste.

b. Impact on Health

• Low TDS Water: While water with very low TDS may taste neutral, it may lack the essential minerals (like calcium, magnesium) that are beneficial for bone health, muscle function, and overall well-being. Drinking very low TDS water over long periods may also cause an imbalance in your mineral intake.

• Moderate TDS Water: This is considered ideal for health. It provides a balanced amount of minerals, which are necessary for various bodily functions. Drinking water with a TDS between 200-500 ppm is generally considered optimal for health.

• High TDS Water: Water with high TDS can cause digestive issues or lead to kidney problems over time. It might contain harmful substances such as chlorides, sulphates, or nitrates that can pose health risks if consumed in excess.

3. Safe TDS Levels for Drinking Water

The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests the following TDS ranges for drinking water:

• Below 300 ppm: Excellent water quality, ideal for drinking.

• 300-500 ppm: Good quality water, safe for consumption, and ideal for daily use.

• 500-1000 ppm: Acceptable but may cause slight health problems in the long run, particularly with prolonged consumption.

• Above 1000 ppm: Generally, not safe for drinking, and water in this range may contain higher concentrations of harmful substances.

Water Treatment for High TDS

If the TDS of your drinking water exceeds safe levels, a water purifier (especially those with RO (Reverse Osmosis) filtration) can reduce TDS by removing harmful minerals and contaminants. However, it’s important to ensure that essential minerals are not entirely stripped away in the process.

4. The Role of Minerals in Water

Water with moderate TDS contains essential minerals that play a key role in health:

• Calcium and Magnesium: These minerals are important for bone health, heart function, and muscle function.

• Sodium and Potassium: Help maintain fluid balance, regulate blood pressure, and support nerve and muscle function.

• Bicarbonates: Essential for maintaining pH balance in the body.

While distilled or purified water may lack some of these beneficial minerals, they can often be found in natural sources like spring water, or through mineral-infused bottled water.

5. TDS in Tap Water vs. Bottled Water

• Tap Water: In many parts of India, tap water may have high TDS levels due to contamination or the presence of dissolved minerals from pipes and sewage systems. Therefore, testing the TDS of your tap water is crucial.

• Bottled Water: Bottled waters, particularly those labeled as mineral water, have an optimal TDS range and can provide beneficial minerals. However, it’s important to verify the TDS levels and make sure the water is properly sourced and filtered.

6. How to Measure TDS in Water

Measuring the TDS of your water is straightforward and can be done using:

• TDS Meters: These handheld devices are inexpensive and give an instant reading of the TDS level in ppm. Simply dip the meter into a sample of water, and the reading will appear on the screen.

• TDS Testing Kits: These kits allow you to test TDS manually, though they require more time and effort than a digital meter.

7. TDS in Different Sources of Water

Different sources of water can have different TDS levels:

• Tap Water: Depending on location, the TDS can vary widely. In cities with good water treatment plants, TDS may be relatively low, but in areas with inadequate treatment, TDS levels can be high.

• Bottled Water: Commercial bottled water is regulated, and most popular brands offer TDS levels within the safe range (100-500 ppm). However, some premium bottled waters are infused with added minerals for health benefits.

• Well Water: This often has a higher TDS due to natural minerals and groundwater contamination, requiring filtration or treatment before consumption.

8. TDS and Water Purification

To maintain healthy TDS levels, regular water filtration is essential:

• RO (Reverse Osmosis) filters are effective in removing both high TDS and contaminants, but it’s essential to add minerals back into the water after purification if the TDS level drops too low.

• UV and Carbon Filters: These can help improve the taste and purity of water but don’t significantly alter the TDS level. They are good for bacterial disinfection rather than removing excess dissolved solids.

Conclusion:

Maintaining a balanced TDS level in drinking water is crucial for both health and taste. While high TDS water may taste unpleasant and may pose health risks, very low TDS water can lack essential minerals, potentially leading to deficiencies over time. For optimal health, aim for drinking water with a TDS range of 200-500 ppm. Regular testing of your water’s TDS and using appropriate water purifiers can help you maintain a healthy balance, ensuring you stay hydrated with clean, mineral-rich water.