Water is important. We drink it every day. We use cleaners from Daewoo India to clean them. But what’s in your water? One thing to think about is TDS. Let’s learn about it.
What are Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)?
TDS stands for Total Dissolved Solids. It’s a measure of stuff in your water. This stuff is tiny. You can’t see it. But it’s there.
TDS includes things like:
- Minerals
- Salts
- Metals
- Some chemicals
These things dissolve in water. They become part of the water.
How is TDS Measured?
TDS is measured in parts per million (ppm). Or sometimes milligrams per litre (mg/L). These mean the same thing.
For example:
- 500 ppm means 500 parts of dissolved solids per million parts of water.
What’s a Normal TDS Level?
TDS levels vary:
- 0-50 ppm: Very low
- 50-150 ppm: Good for drinking
- 150-250 ppm: Average
- 250-350 ppm: High, but okay
- Over 350 ppm: Not good for drinking
Where Does TDS Come From?
TDS can come from many places:
- Natural sources:
- Rocks and soil
- Minerals in the ground
- Seaspray (near oceans)
- Human activities:
- Farming (fertilizers, pesticides)
- Road salt
- Sewage
- Industrial waste
- Water treatment:
- Some chemicals added to clean water
Are High TDS Levels Bad?
It depends. Some TDS are okay. Some are not.
Good TDS:
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Potassium
These are minerals your body needs.
Bad TDS:
- Lead
- Arsenic
- Nitrates
- Some chemicals
These can be harmful.
Effects of High TDS
High TDS can cause problems:
- For you:
- Water tastes bad
- Might be harmful to the health
- For your home:
- Scale buildup in pipes
- Spots on dishes
- Reduced soap effectiveness
- For appliances:
- Shorter lifespan of water heaters
- Problems with coffee makers
- Issues with ice makers
How to Test TDS
You can test TDS in two ways:
- TDS meter:
- Small device
- Easy to use
- Gives quick results
- Water testing kit:
- More detailed
- Tests for specific substances
- Takes more time
You can also get your water tested professionally.
Ways to Reduce TDS
There are several ways to reduce TDS:
- Reverse Osmosis (RO):
- Very effective
- Removes up to 95% of TDS
- Can waste some water
- Distillation:
- Removes almost all TDS
- Uses a lot of energy
- Slow process
- Ion Exchange:
- Good for hard water
- Replace bad ions with good ones
- Doesn’t remove all TDS
- Activated Carbon Filters:
- Removes some TDS
- Good for chlorine and organic compounds
- Doesn’t remove dissolved minerals
- Deionization:
- Removes almost all TDS
- Used in labs and industries
- Not common for homes
Let’s look at each method in more detail.
Reverse Osmosis (RO)
RO is very popular. Here’s how it works:
- Water is pushed through a membrane.
- The membrane has tiny holes.
- Water molecules can pass through.
- Most dissolved solids can’t.
Pros:
- Very effective
- Removes many contaminants
- Improves the taste of water
Cons:
- Can wastewater
- Removes good minerals too
- Needs regular maintenance
Distillation
Distillation is an old method. It works like this:
- Water is boiled.
- Steam rises.
- Steam is cooled back into water.
- Most contaminants are left behind.
Pros:
- Removes almost all TDS
- Kills bacteria
- No chemicals used
Cons:
- Slow process
- Uses a lot of energy
- Removes beneficial minerals
Ion Exchange
Ion exchange is good for hard water. Here’s how it works:
- Water passes through special beads.
- Bad ions stick to the beads.
- Good ions are released into the water.
Pros:
- Softens water
- Reduces scale buildup
- Can improve taste
Cons:
- Doesn’t remove all TDS
- Needs regular regeneration
- Adds sodium to water
Activated Carbon Filters
These filters are common. They work like this:
- Water passes through carbon.
- Carbon attracts certain contaminants.
- These contaminants stick to the carbon.
Pros:
- Improves taste and smell
- Removes chlorine
- Affordable
Cons:
- Doesn’t remove all TDS
- Needs regular replacement
- Not effective for minerals
Deionization
Deionization is used in special cases. It works like this:
- Water passes through two types of resins.
- One removes positive ions.
- One removes negative ions.
Pros:
- Removes almost all TDS
- Produces very pure water
- Used in labs and industries
Cons:
- Expensive
- Doesn’t remove bacteria
- Not usually used in homes
Which Method is Best?
The best method depends on your needs:
- For drinking water: RO, alkaline water machine for home or distillation
- For hard water: Ion exchange
- For a better taste: Activated carbon
- For very pure water: Deionization
Consider your water quality and budget.
Other Ways to Reduce TDS
Besides filters, you can:
- Boil water:
- Kills bacteria
- Doesn’t remove dissolved solids
- Use water softeners:
- Good for hard water
- Doesn’t remove all TDS
- Let the water stand:
- Some solids may settle
- Not very effective
- Use natural filters:
- Like clay or charcoal
- Not as effective as modern methods
TDS and Bottled Water
Bottled water isn’t always better:
- Some have high TDS levels
- Others have very low levels
- Check the label for mineral content
TDS in Different Water Sources
TDS levels vary in different waters:
- Tap water: Varies by location
- Well water: Often high in minerals
- River water: Can be high in TDS
- Rainwater: Usually low in TDS
Know your water source.
Maintaining Your TDS Reduction System
To keep your system working well:
- Change filters regularly
- Clean the system as directed
- Test your water periodically
- Follow the manufacturer’s instructions
Good maintenance means better water.
When to Worry About TDS
High TDS isn’t always bad. Worry if:
- TDS is over 1000 ppm
- Water tastes bad
- You see scale buildup
- You have health concerns
When in doubt, get your water tested.
Benefits of Reducing TDS
Reducing TDS can:
- Improve water taste
- Make water healthier
- Protect your appliances
- Reduce soap and detergent use
- Prevent scale buildup
It’s good for you and your home.
Conclusion
TDS is important to understand. It affects your water quality. High TDS can be a problem. But there are ways to reduce it. Choose purifiers from Daewoo Electronics. You can also use alkaline water on the go with an alkaline water bottle.
FAQs
How does TDS affect the taste of drinking water?
Higher TDS levels can significantly impact water taste. Water with TDS below 300 mg/L is generally considered excellent, while levels between 300-600 mg/L are good. Above 1000 mg/L, water may taste brackish. Some minerals contribute positively to taste, while others like iron can impart an unpleasant flavour.
Can TDS levels in water affect household appliances?
High TDS levels, particularly those indicating hard water, can impact appliances. Scale buildup from minerals can reduce the efficiency and lifespan of water heaters, washing machines, and dishwashers. It may also cause spotting on glassware and dishes, and affect the performance of soaps and detergents.
How do seasonal changes affect TDS levels in natural water sources?
TDS levels in natural water bodies can fluctuate with seasons. During dry periods, TDS often increases due to evaporation and reduced dilution. In rainy seasons, levels may decrease due to increased water volume, or sometimes increase if runoff carries more dissolved substances into the water body.
Additional Read:
19 September 
