What Does Total Dissolved Solids Mean for Your Water Quality?
Reverse osmosis (RO) water filtration is one of the most thorough methods for removing impurities from water. But along with contaminants, RO also strips out dissolved mineral salts and other beneficial elements. The measurement of these remaining dissolved solids is known as TDS—total dissolved solids. For RO system owners, understanding what TDS means can help ensure your filtered water is truly high quality.
What Are Total Dissolved Solids?
Total dissolved solids or TDS refers to inorganic salts and organic matter dissolved in water. TDS includes calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, bicarbonates, chlorides, sulfates and other ions that are small enough to pass through a filter. Anything larger than one micrometer (or micron) gets blocked by RO membranes.
TDS particles are left behind from the source water after purification. They can also be added back into purified water to restore beneficial mineral content. Common TDS elements found in water include:
- Calcium and Magnesium: Important for bone health, muscle function, and heart rhythm.
- Potassium: Helps nerves and muscles communicate; supports heart health and blood pressure.
- Sodium: An essential electrolyte for fluid balance, nerve transmission, and muscle function.
- Chloride: Helps maintain proper hydration levels and acidity in the body.
- Sulfates: Required for various metabolic functions in tissues.
- Bicarbonates: Help regulate pH and support the body’s acid-base balance.
What’s Considered a Healthy TDS Level?
TDS levels are measured in milligrams per liter (mg/L) or parts per million (ppm). Sowhat’s considered an optimal TDS for purified or bottled water? Recommendations vary:
- WHO: <600 mg/L
- U.S. EPA: <500 mg/L
- NSF International: <1,000 mg/L
- IBWA (bottled water): <1,500 mg/L
Many people prefer TDS between 50-250 ppm for low mineral, purified tastes. However, very low TDS water lacks beneficial minerals your body needs. And extremely high TDS indicates excessive dissolved solids that create undesirable qualities like salty, metallic, or alkaline flavors. The healthiest TDS for drinking water is roughly 50-300 ppm.
Why TDS Matters for an RO System?
For RO filtration systems, monitoring the TDS in your water can serve several useful purposes:
1. Determines Filter Efficiency
By measuring feed water versus filtered water TDS, you can calculate the percent of total dissolved solids removed by the RO membrane. This verifies how effectively the system is performing.
2. Indicates When to Change Filters
As membranes wear out, TDS removal diminishes, allowing more dissolved solids to pass into filtered water. Rising TDS levels signal it’s time to replace RO filters.
3. Confirms Proper System Functioning
Regularly testing TDS ensures your RO system is working properly. Dramatic spikes could signify a problem requiring service like a torn membrane.
4. Helps Adjust Mineral Levels
If TDS is very low, raising it with mineralizing filters or electrolyte drops provides healthier, better-tasting water.
How to Measure TDS Levels in RO Water?
You can easily measure TDS at home using an electronic TDS meter. TDS meters determine total dissolved solids by measuring the conductivity of water—its capacity to pass an electrical current. The more dissolved ions, the higher the conductivity and TDS value registered.
To test TDS using a meter:
1. Collect a sample of water in a clean container after it flows through the RO system.
2. Turn on the TDS meter and submerge the probe end in the water, allowing time for the reading to stabilize.
3. Record the TDS measurement displayed on the meter.
4. Rinse and dry the TDS probe before testing another sample.
5. Repeat steps 1-4 to check feed water and confirm filtration effectiveness.
6. Test TDS monthly to monitor system performance. Replace filters if needed.
TDS meters provide fast, accurate TDS readings for only $10-$50 for home use. This makes regular monitoring of your RO system simple.
Improving TDS in RO Water
If your RO system leaves you with water that’s low in essential minerals, there are easy ways to add beneficial TDS back in:
- Remineralizing filters: Contain media like calcium and magnesium to add hardness.
- Mineral balls or drops: Infuse alkaline minerals and electrolytes into low-TDS water.
- Post-filters: Attach inline to add helpful minerals like calcium and potassium.
- Blending with tap water: Mix a ratio of RO and non-filtered water to retain some minerals.
Optimizing the TDS balance in purified water creates a healthier, more hydrating and thirst-quenching drink.
Make TDS Monitoring Part of Your RO Routine
While many RO owners set their system up and leave it alone, routinely tracking TDS helps identify issues before they become problems. Much like checking tire pressure or oil in your car, monitoring TDS provides valuable insight into the inner workings of your RO system.
With a simple, affordable TDS meter, you can take a proactive approach to maintenance. Test TDS a few times monthly to verify your RO filtration is performing properly and catch changes indicating the need for service. Keeping TDS in the optimal range also lets you enjoy cleaner, better-tasting water.
Understanding what TDS means and regularly measuring it in your system can help ensure your RO water is truly of the highest quality for many years to come. Checking TDS is a small effort that pays big dividends for your health, hydration, and peace of mind.
Netsol Water is Greater Noida-based leading water & wastewater treatment plant manufacturer. We are industry's most demanding company based on client review and work quality. We are known as best commercial RO plant manufacturers, industrial RO plant manufacturer, sewage treatment plant manufacturer, Water Softener Plant Manufacturers and effluent treatment plant manufacturers. Apart from this 24x7 customer support is our USP. Call on +91-9650608473, or write us at enquiry@netsolwater.com for any support, inquiry or product-purchase related query.