TDS is an important factor to account for when determining the quality of water. TDS or Total Dissolved Solids, is a measure of the level of minerals, toxic metals, and salts in the water. It is expressed in terms of milligrams per litre (mg/l). High TDS levels in your drinking water can affect your health and when it comes in contact with household appliances, impacts their efficacy and life span. If you want to know how TDS levels affect your well being and how to treat water with high TDS levels, then you have come to the right place. Read along to find out.
What is High TDS in Water?
A TDS level above 500 ppm (parts per million) is generally considered high for drinking purposes according to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards).
High TDS in water could be due to a) minerals in underground water from aquifers which absorb minerals from surrounding geological formations; b) Seepage of pesticides and fertilizers into groundwater; and c) Industrial discharge full of chemicals and heavy metals into water sources.
|
TDS Level (ppm) |
Water Quality |
Description |
|
0-50 |
Excellent |
Pure water, typically distilled or purified |
|
50-150 |
Good |
Suitable for drinking, ideal mineral balance |
|
150-300 |
Fair |
Acceptable, though higher mineral content |
|
300-500 |
Acceptable |
Safe for drinking, but nearing the upper safe limit |
|
500-1,200 |
Poor |
High mineral content, not recommended for drinking |
|
1,200+ |
Unacceptable |
Potential health risks, unsuitable for consumption |
Health Effects of High TDS Water
- Kidney Stones: When consumed over time, high levels of calcium in water can cause kidney stones.
- Digestive Issues: High Sulfates’ level in water can impact digestive health. This can show up as symptoms including nausea, bloating, and diarrhea.
- Cardiovascular Problems: High TDS water with increased sodium levels can impact blood pressure levels thus indirectly causing heart-related issues.
- Fluorosis : High levels of fluorides can damage teeth and bones, causing fluorosis.
It’s important to remember that it’s not just high TDS levels that can be problematic but also low TDS levels. Very low TDS can mean low amounts of essential minerals needed for the body. To correct this, certain water purifiers add the minerals back to water.
Impact of High TDS on Home Appliances
- Scaling and Corrosion:
When minerals in water come into contact with surfaces like appliances, build up over time. These deposits turn into hard layers impacting the efficiency and lifespan of appliances like water heaters, dishwashers, kettles, and washing machines.
- Increased Energy Consumption:
Mineral buildup also means that much more additional effort for each of the above appliances to process the hard water for consumption, requiring additional electrical energy spent. This inefficiency translates to elevated electricity bills over time.
- Frequent Repairs and Maintenance:
Similarly, scaling and buildup means regular maintenance, cleaning, descaling, etc, to minimize scale buildup. This increases the cost of ownership for these appliances.
How to Reduce High TDS in Water
Some of the best solutions to deal with high TDS in water include:
- Reverse Osmosis (RO) Filtration: RO filtration involving the process of reverse osmosis that separates minerals from water is among most effective technologies for reducing TDS levels. RO systems are ideal in areas of water supply with TDS levels above 500 ppm.
- Using a TDS Meter: It is important to check the TDS level of your drinking water to ensure the effectiveness of your water purifier or other forms of filtrations systems.
In addition to Reverse Osmosis (RO), distillation is effective for small-scale purification, Deionization (DI) in combination with RO for industrial applications. Combining TDS reduction solutions with activated carbon filters can improve the taste and odor of water.
Comparison: High TDS vs Low TDS Water
|
Aspect |
High TDS Water |
Low TDS Water |
|
TDS Level |
Above 500 ppm |
Below 100 ppm |
|
Taste |
May taste metallic |
Clean, but may lack taste due to low mineral content |
|
Health Impact |
kidney stones, digestive issues, and cardiovascular strain |
May lack essential minerals, potentially leading to deficiencies if consumed long-term |
|
Effect on Appliances |
Causes scaling and corrosion in appliances, reducing efficiency and lifespan |
Minimal scaling or corrosion, better for appliance longevity |
|
Best Use |
Best for non-drinking uses, or with effective filtration |
Safe for drinking but may benefit from remineralization for balanced mineral intake |
FAQs
-
What is considered a safe TDS level for drinking water?
A safe TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) level for drinking water is generally below 500 ppm (parts per million), though some regions may have slightly different guidelines. Below this level, water is considered to have a balanced mineral content suitable for health. -
How does high TDS affect health?
High TDS levels can pose health risks such as digestive issues, kidney stress, and cardiovascular strain due to an overload of minerals and potential contaminants. Long-term consumption of water with very high TDS may increase the likelihood of these health concerns. -
How do I measure and manage TDS in my home?
You can measure TDS with a TDS meter for quick readings or contact a water testing lab for a more thorough analysis. If TDS levels are high, an RO (Reverse Osmosis) water purifier is an effective solution to reduce it, helping to ensure safer, healthier drinking water in your home.
