Water is considered a universal solvent because of its ability to dissolve and absorb molecules from various substances, and the number of dissolved particles in a volume of water is called the total dissolved solids (TDS) level. Total dissolved solids can either be organic or inorganic. Understanding your water’s TDS level and which total dissolved solids are present paints a picture of your overall water quality. Below you will learn about the different types of total dissolved solids, how to measure them, and how to reduce total dissolved solids in your water.

Total dissolved solids (TDS) are the amount of organic and inorganic materials, such as metals, minerals, salts, and ions, dissolved in a particular volume of water; TDS are essentially a measure of anything dissolved in water that is not an H2O molecule. Since it is a solvent, when water encounters soluble material, particles of the material are absorbed into the water, creating total dissolved solids. TDS in water can come from just about anywhere, including natural water springs, chemicals used to treat the municipal water supply, runoff from roads and yards, and even from your home plumbing system.

The following list details common total dissolved solids that may be present in your water.

• Calcium
• Chloride
• Magnesium
• Potassium
• Zinc
• Aluminum
• Copper
• Lead
• Arsenic
• Iron
• Chlorine
• Sodium
• Fluoride
• Bicarbonates
• Sulfates
• Pesticides
• Herbicides

Total dissolved solids come from many sources, both natural and man-made. Natural sources of TDS include springs, lakes, rivers, plants, and soil. For example, when water flows underground in a natural spring, it absorbs minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium, from rocks.

On the other hand, effects of human activity can also produce total dissolved solids in water. Pesticides and herbicides may come from agricultural runoff, lead may come from old plumbing pipes, and chlorine may come from water treatment plants. Total dissolved solids are even purposefully added to water sometimes, as bottled mineral water you come across in the grocery store may contain mineral additives.

Total dissolved solids (TDS) is measured as a volume of water with the unit milligrams per liter (mg/L), otherwise known as parts per million (ppm). According to the EPA secondary drinking water regulations,  500 ppm is the recommended maximum amount of TDS for your drinking water. Any measurement higher than 1000 ppm is an unsafe level of TDS. If the level exceeds 2000 ppm, then a filtration system may be unable to properly filter TDS.

Testing your water using a TDS meter is the simplest way to measure for total dissolved solids. For example, if a TDS meter says 100 ppm, that means that from one million particles, 100 are dissolved ions and 999,900 are water molecules. This would be considered a low TDS level. However, a TDS meter does not indicate what types of TDS are present, which is ultimately the most important information to know regarding your water quality. So, a home water test kit or a lab water analysis are recommended to reveal exactly what types of TDS are in your water. Also, your water supplier is required to test and maintain reports regarding water quality and will provide them upon request.

If you have a reverse osmosis system, you can use the following formula to calculate the percent rejection of TDS and to measure your RO system’s performance.

• Measure the TDS of raw feed water by submersing the tester’s probes into a glass of tap water. Record the results.
• Measure the TDS of your RO water by filling a glass with RO water (from RO faucet) and submersing the tester’s probes into the water. Record the results.
• Calculate percent rejection using the following formula:

Example: Tap TDS = 260 ppm RO TDS = 20 ppm Rejection = [(260 – 20) / 260] x 100 = [240/260] x 100 ≈ (.923) x 100 = 92.3

Note: If your RO system is new or the membrane has been replaced, do not test the first tank of RO water. The first tank will contain sanitizer and possibly carbon fines from your new filters that will cause a false reading.

Total dissolved solids can affect your water quality, your health, your home plumbing system, and even daily tasks, such as cooking and cleaning. By measuring your water for TDS, you can better understand your water quality and how it affects your everyday life, allowing you to make an informed decision to solve your water quality problem and install the most effective filtration system for your home.

1.      Taste and smell

Tap water with a high concentration of total dissolved solids (TDS) can have a bitter taste and unpleasant smell. The higher the concentration of total dissolved solids, the more bitter your water will be. A  reverse osmosis system and a ceramic water filter are both recommended to improve the taste and smell of bitter tap water.

2.      Health

High TDS water is not necessarily unhealthy to drink, but certain substances, such as lead and copper, are health hazards. For example, lead exposure can cause brain and nervous system damage and high levels of copper exposure can cause nausea. A reverse osmosis system or a water distiller are recommended to filter heavy metals.

Learn more: How to Remove Lead from Water

3.      Filter maintenance

Water filtration systems are a great solution to reduce total dissolved solids but are subject to normal wear and tear. Routine testing for TDS can provide assurance that your filter system is working properly and can alert you when maintenance is required.

4.      Plumbing and appliances

Water that contains high levels of dissolved calcium and magnesium is hard water and can result in high TDS levels. When calcium and magnesium salts dissolve, they collect in pipes and form scale buildup, which results in costly pipe replacements and shortens the lives of your appliances. A water softener is recommended to filter calcium and magnesium and can prevent scale buildup.

Learn More: What is a Water Softener and How Does It Work?

5.      Cooking

Though not detrimental to your health at levels below 1000 ppm, cooking with elevated TDS water can change the taste of food. For example, if your water has high levels of chlorine, you may find that your pasta absorbs an unpleasant taste from the boiling water. A carbon filter is an effective choice to remove chlorine from water.

Learn More: Activated Carbon Filters 101

6.      Cleaning

If your dishes have water spots no matter how well you clean them, your clothes fade in the wash, and you have buildup in your sinks, your cleaning woes may be caused by high levels of total dissolved solids. A water softener or other filtration system could decrease the TDS level and make cleaning much more efficient.

Though an elevated TDS level can affect the taste of your water, it is not usually harmful to human health. However, readings above 500 ppm require further investigation for toxic particles and heavy metals, and readings above 1000 ppm are considered unsafe for human consumption. Again, it is important to remember that when it comes to your health, the type of dissolved solids in your water is more important than the amount. A home water test kit or lab analysis can help you determine if your water contains any harmful substances like lead or pesticides and herbicides.

No, low TDS water is not harmful. A low TDS level actually means you have high-quality water, but it may have a flat taste, as it is devoid of many minerals.

If you are growing plants, vegetables, or flowers through hydroponics, then total dissolved solids play an important role in providing nutrients to your plants. Two substances that often cause high TDS levels are potassium and nitrates, which happen to be great for roses. Flowers should have around 1000-1100 ppm, while vegetables should have around 900-1000 ppm. Knowing the types of dissolved solids, however, is important when watering vegetables. If toxic ions are present, they will be absorbed by the plant.