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Water can dissolve and absorb almost any substance; hence, it is a universal solvent. The total dissolved solids (TDS) level is the number of dissolved particles, whether organic or inorganic, in a particular volume of water. Water quality is dependent on the TDS level. This article discusses total dissolved solids, the measurement, and reducing TDS levels to improve water quality. Kindly read on for more information!
What Is TDS?
Total dissolved solids (TDS) indicate the level of dissolved organic and inorganic matter in a volume of water; the matter could be metals, salts, minerals, and ions. Generally, TDS is a measure of anything apart from an H2O molecule that dissolves in water. Because water is a universal solvent. It absorbs part of any soluble material it comes in contact with, thus, increasing TDS levels. Familiar sources of TDS in water include natural water springs, municipal water treatment chemicals, road runoffs, and a home's plumbing system.
What Are The Types of Total Dissolved Solids?
There are several total dissolved solids in water. Common types of TDS include minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium, aluminum, chloride, and zinc. Copper, lead, arsenic, chlorine, sodium, and iron are also types of TDS. Water can also accumulate TDS like herbicides, pesticides, sulfates, bicarbonates, and fluoride.
Common Sources of TDS
Sources of TDS can either be natural or artificial. Springs, rivers, lakes, plants, and soil are all-natural sources of TDS. For instance, water flows underground to absorb calcium, potassium, and magnesium from rocks in a natural spring.
Human activities can also increase TDS levels in the water. Usually, agricultural runoff is a source of herbicides and pesticides, old plumbing pipes are a source of lead, and water treatment plants contribute chlorine. Sometimes, bottled mineral water contains total dissolved solids as mineral additives.
How Can You Measure TDS?
Total dissolved solids are measured per volume of water—the unit of TDS is milligrams per liter (mg/L) or parts per million (ppm). The EPA's secondary drinking water regulations recommend that drinking water should not have more than 500ppm of TDS. TDS levels greater than 1000ppm are unsafe. A TDS level higher than 2000 ppm requires an efficient filtration system to remove TDS.
The best way to know the TDS level in your water is to test with a TDS meter. A TDS reading of 100ppm means that out of one million particles in water, 100 are dissolved solids while 999,900 are water molecules. Consequently, the TDS level is low. The type of TDS present in water determines its quality; however, a TDS meter does not show the types of total dissolved solids in a water sample. Therefore, you need a home water test kit or a lab water analysis to determine the exact kind of TDS present in your water. In addition, water suppliers test and provide water quality reports on request.
Waterdrop TDS Meter
The Waterdrop TDS meter has a stainless-steel sensor that can accurately measure the type of TDS present in water without any magnetic field interference. The meter has a screen that displays the readout within seconds. The meter also has an Automatic Temperature Controller (ATC) that ensures the water temperature doesn't affect the results. The Waterdrop TDS meter has a range of 0-9999 ppm, and you can test the TDS of your tap water, pool, spa, or any other water source.
The Waterdrop TDS meter features a power-saving mode that automatically shuts off the sensor after 3 minutes of no operation. The meter also has a lead-free and BPA-free design that prevents filtered water from secondary pollution.
Water Hardness Test Kit
The water hardness test kit is also suitable for testing TDS in water. All you need to do is dip the test strip in the water sample and compare the strip's color to the color chart on the bottle. The benefit of this test kit is that you test water quality yourself; you don't have to visit a store or wait for someone else to carry out the test. Another benefit is that you get consistent and reliable results.
You can read the results of the water hardness test effortlessly. Just compare results from red to green on the oversized color chart. Also, compare the values between 0 – 25 GPG and 0 - 425 ppm. The testing contains a ready-to-use test bottle and 50 test strips in 2 separately sealed pouches. Once you run out of test strips, empty the refill pouch into the test bottle to ensure the reliability and freshness of the test strips.
What Is The Importance of TDS Level in Water?
TDS affects the taste of water and the taste of water mixes such as cocktails. In addition, TDS can affect human health and the piping system in homes. The TDS leveling water can affect the following;
- Taste and mouthfeel: High TDS levels can give water a bitter, salty taste or odor considering the dissolved solids. When you use water with a high TDS level to cook food or brew coffee, it affects the taste. The mouthfeel, on the other hand, describes the sensations you feel in your when drinking. For instance, silica affects water texture and gives it a slippery feel. Always read a bottles label or a chemical test kit to know the type of TDS present in drinking water
- Gastronomical experience: TDS level allows you to find the perfect water that can enhance taste, especially when combined with food and other drinks. For example, whiskey has an improved taste when paired with super-low TDS water because it enhances the liquor's taste. Furthermore, low TDS water, when paired with light food, enhances its flavors. On the other hand, high TDS water pairs better with red meats, thus improving its flavors
Health Effects of High TDS Level in Drinking Water
Although high TDS levels may affect water taste, it does not cause any harm to human health. Nevertheless, TDS levels greater than 500ppm require further testing to ascertain if it contains toxic types. Also, TDS levels above 1000ppm are unsafe for consumption. It is best to note that the TDS types present in water are more critical than the TDS level. Fortunately, a home test kit or lab analysis can help ascertain the types of total dissolved solids present in a water sample.
Conclusively
The total dissolved solids in water can affect its taste and feel. Also, high levels and the type of TDS present in drinking water can impact human health. Thus, it is best always to test the TDS level in the water