What Is the Ideal TDS Level for Drinking Water?

In the market looking for a new water purifier for your home? Go to any seller and all they would talk about nonstop is the TDS levels in your city and why it is a must that you get their purifier with the best TDS controller. But what is TDS in simple terms? It simply means the amount of salts present in your water. The more your water is hard, the more the tds levels in it. So what are the ideal TDS levels and how do you go about dealing with water with high tds levels? Worry not! We got you covered with all things tds related.

 

What Is the Ideal TDS for Drinking Water?

TDS or Total Dissolved Solids technically means a measure of the amount of salts and minerals, some good and some toxic, present in our drinking water. Beyond this, tds levels also affect the quality and taste of water. Here are the globally accepted standards:

• WHO Recommendation: The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that a TDS level below 300 mg/L is excellent for drinking water.
  
  

• Ideal Range: Generally, 50–300 ppm (mg/L) is considered safe and beneficial. A TDS level between 150–250 ppm is often seen as the sweet spot, providing essential minerals without compromising water quality.
  
  

• High TDS Concerns: Water with a TDS above 500 ppm may start to taste salty or bitter and could contain excess minerals that may not be ideal for long-term consumption.

TDS Levels and Water Quality Classification

TDS Value of Drinking Water in India

The TDS value of drinking water in India varies widely depending on the source—municipal supply, borewell, or groundwater. Factors such as industrial pollution, geographical conditions, and water treatment processes impact the TDS levels across different regions.

BIS Guidelines for TDS in Drinking Water

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) recommends an ideal TDS level of up to 500 mg/L, with 150–250 mg/L being optimal for drinking. In some cases, water with higher TDS is consumed, but it may require filtration to remove excess minerals or contaminants.

RO Water TDS Levels: How Low Is Too Low?

1. Key Facts About RO Water TDS Levels

• RO purification can reduce TDS below 50 ppm, sometimes even as low as 25 ppm.
  
  

• While low TDS means fewer contaminants, it also removes essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium.
  
  

• Water with ultra-low TDS can taste flat or unrefreshing.
  
  

2. When Does Low TDS Become a Problem?

• Mineral Deficiency – Prolonged consumption of water below 50 ppm may lead to electrolyte imbalances and deficiencies.
  
  

• Health Risks – The body needs essential minerals for hydration, nerve function, and bone health.
  
  

• Taste & Palatability – Water with TDS below 50 ppm often feels too light and lacks the refreshing quality of natural water.
  
  

3. What Do Experts Say About Ultra-Low TDS?

• WHO Guidelines – The World Health Organization (WHO) states that water with TDS below 50 ppm is not ideal for long-term drinking, as it lacks essential nutrients.
  
  

• Medical & Lab Use – Ultra-purified water (under 25 ppm) is used in medical or laboratory settings, but not recommended for daily consumption.
  
  

• BIS Standards – The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) recommends a TDS level of 50-500 ppm for drinking water.
  
  

4. Ideal TDS for RO Water

• Best range: 80-150 ppm – Maintains both purity and essential minerals.
  
  

• Acceptable range: 50-250 ppm – Safe but may require mineral reintroduction.
  
  

• Unsafe levels: Below 50 ppm – Lacks essential nutrients and affects taste.
  
  

5. How to Improve RO Water TDS?

• TDS Controller – Adjusts RO filtration to retain essential minerals.
  
  

• Mineral Cartridge – Reintroduces calcium, magnesium, and potassium to maintain health benefits.
  
  

• Water Blending – Mixing RO water with a portion of natural or filtered water helps balance TDS and taste.
  
  

How to Measure the TDS of Water at Home

1. Tools for Measuring TDS

• Digital TDS Meter – A small, handheld device that provides instant TDS readings. It is the most convenient and accurate way to check water quality at home.
  
  

• Lab Testing – If you need a detailed breakdown of minerals and contaminants in your water, sending a sample to a certified lab is the best option. This is recommended if your TDS levels fluctuate or if you suspect contamination.
  
  

2. How to Use a TDS Meter

• Step 1: Take a clean glass and fill it with the water you want to test. Using a clean container prevents interference from residual minerals.
  
  

• Step 2: Turn on the TDS meter and submerge its probe into the water without touching the sides or bottom of the glass. This ensures an accurate reading.
  
  

• Step 3: Wait for a few seconds until the meter stabilizes and displays the TDS value, usually measured in ppm (parts per million).
  
  

• Step 4: Note down the reading and compare it with recommended levels to determine if your water is suitable for drinking.
  
  

3. Understanding TDS Readings

• Below 50 ppm – Water is ultra-pure and may lack essential minerals, making it unsuitable for regular consumption. This level is often found in RO-treated water.
  
  

• 50-150 ppm – Considered the ideal range for drinking water, as it maintains both purity and necessary minerals like calcium and magnesium.
  
  

• 150-300 ppm – This range is generally safe, but some minerals may cause slight hardness in water, affecting taste and texture.
  
  

• 300-500 ppm – Water is still drinkable, but a high mineral presence may cause scaling in appliances like kettles and water heaters.
  
  

• Above 500 ppm – High TDS levels may indicate excessive salts, metals, or contaminants, making filtration necessary before consumption.
  
  

4. DIY Tips for Regular Monitoring

• Test water quality monthly – Regular checks help detect sudden changes in TDS, which could indicate pipe corrosion, filter inefficiency, or contamination.
  
  

• Compare readings from different sources – Test TDS levels in tap water, borewell water, RO-filtered water, and bottled water to understand quality variations.
  
  

• Check before and after filtration – If using an RO or any other water purifier, measure TDS both before and after filtration to ensure the system is functioning properly.

How to Improve or Adjust TDS in Drinking Water

When TDS is Too Low: Water with a TDS of RO water below 50 ppm lacks essential minerals. Using a TDS controller or mineralizing filter restores necessary nutrients.

Avoiding Over-Purification: RO systems often strip away vital minerals—adjusting the bypass valve allows controlled blending for a healthier balance.

Lowering High TDS Water: If RO water TDS level exceeds 500 ppm, an RO purifier is essential to remove dissolved solids while maintaining safe drinking standards.

Handling Extremely Hard Water: If your source water has TDS >1000 ppm, consider a combination of RO, UV, and UF filtration to remove contaminants while retaining essential minerals.

Checking TDS Levels: Regular TDS testing ensures your drinking water stays within the recommended range for optimal health.

FAQs About TDS and Drinking Water Safety

1. What should be the TDS of drinking water?

The ideal TDS range for drinking water is between 80-150 ppm for optimal health. According to BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards), water with TDS up to 500 ppm is safe, but beyond that, purification is recommended.

2. How much TDS water is drinkable?

Water with TDS below 50 ppm lacks essential minerals, while water above 500 ppm may contain excessive salts or contaminants. The best TDS for drinking water should provide both purity and essential minerals.

3. Can I drink water with 500+ TDS?

It depends on the source. If the TDS comes from natural minerals, it may still be safe. However, if it contains heavy metals or harmful chemicals, an RO purifier is recommended to lower the TDS to a safer level.

4. Does boiling water reduce TDS?

No, boiling does not reduce TDS—it only kills bacteria. Dissolved solids remain in the water. To lower TDS, you need RO filtration or other purification methods.

5. Is 25 TDS safe for drinking water?

Water with TDS as low as 25 ppm lacks essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium. While safe, it’s not ideal for long-term consumption as it may contribute to mineral deficiencies.

6. Should infants drink low TDS water?

Yes, but with caution. For babies, TDS around 50-100 ppm is ideal. Water that is too high in TDS may be harder to digest, while ultra-low TDS water may lack essential electrolytes needed for growth.

7. How do I check the TDS of my drinking water?

You can use a digital TDS meter to measure the TDS value of drinking water at home. If the TDS is too high or too low, adjust it with RO filtration or mineral cartridges accordingly.

So, TDS levels are something one needs to be informed about and take necessary action. If too high, it can cause health troubles owing to high levels of minerals and salts that may accumulate in the body over time. On the other hand eliminating any trace of minerals is not helpful either as the minerals from water in small part contribute to our mineral intake requirement. So a balance is a must. If you live in an area with high tds levels then go for a water purifier, like Lustral Water’s hybrid IOT based purifier, with a tds control.