What is TDS in water, and why is it important to keep track of it?

TDS and its importance

Overview

The amount of soluble particles in a volume of water is refer to as the total dissolved solids (TDS) level. We call water as the universal solvent because of its capacity to dissolve and absorb molecules from a variety of substances. Organic or inorganic total dissolved solids are also possible. The amount of total dissolved solids in your water, as well as which total dissolved solids are present, give you an idea of how good your water is. The numerous types of total dissolved solids, how to measure them, and how to reduce total dissolved solids in your water are all covered in the following section of this article. 

Hazardous chemicals from various water treatment plants are present in our drinking water nowadays. As a result, the natural minerals in the water are being using up. It is critical to utilize adequate filtering procedures to eliminate impurities and make water safe to drink in such a situation. Total dissolved solids, which are left in the water after the regular filtration process, are the most common pollutant. Total dissolved solids are contaminants greater than 2 microns in size. A fine filter eliminates particles with a diameter of 0.45 microns that come from a variety of sources. After the filtering procedure, charged atoms and ions make up the leftover pollutants in the water.

What is TDS in water? 

We can refer the total concentration of soluble chemicals in drinking water to as Total Dissolved Solids.

TDS is made up mostly of inorganic salts with a trace of organic stuff for good measure. Calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium are positively charge cations, while negatively charged anions make up inorganic salts (carbonates, nitrates, bicarbonates, chlorides, and sulfates). The total dissolved solids level indicates how much TDS is present in the water. 

TDS is a measurement of anything that isn’t an H2O molecule soluble in water. When water comes into contact with soluble material, it absorbs the particles, resulting in total dissolved solids. TDS in water can come from a variety of sources, including natural water springs, municipal water treatment chemicals, and so on. 

TDS levels in water range from moderate to high, which alters the water’s flavor and poses a number of health risks. Using the best RO water purifier in India is one of the most effective ways to keep the TDS level in check. In this blog, we go over the various methods for removing excess TDS from water.

What is the purpose of measuring total dissolved solids?

Water testing is a terrific technique to ensure the quality of the water you get and utilize for various purposes. Here are a few reasons why you should test your water for total dissolved solids:

  • Taste- The taste of your drinking water will be affecting by high TDS levels. Depending on the sort of dissolved solids in your water, your water may taste bitter, salty, or sulfuric.
  • Health purposes- Water with a high TDS content is perfectly fine to drink for health reasons. However, some substances, such as lead and copper, can be hazardous to one’s health.
  • Filter maintenance- A high quantity of TDS affects water filtration systems. Testing the water purifier systems on a regular basis helps guarantee that the filters are in good working order.
  • Cooking- While a high TDS level isn’t harmful to your health, it might change the flavor of your meal.
  • Cleaning- Water with a high TDS level produces unsightly stains on utensils. This type of water also stains your clothes and causes buildup in your sinks, tubs, and faucets.

What is the Purpose of TDS Measuring?

The water you receive contains more than the maximum amount of total dissolved solids that should be present in water. Water with a TDS of more than 1000 mg/L is unsafe to drink. TDS levels in the water that are too high can cause a variety of health issues. The presence of potassium, sodium, and chlorides in the water raises the TDS level. Toxic ions like lead, nitrate, cadmium, and arsenic, which can be found in water, can cause a variety of severe health problems. The purer the water, the better one’s health will be. TDS measuring is especially important for children because their defence systems have not fully developed, and they are exposed to contaminants at a much higher rate.

Because TDS in water is not a measure of any particular contaminant, many regulatory authorities do not regulate it as a health hazard. However, a high TDS level can alter the taste and smell of water. We use TDS metreto determine the TDS level in the water. We can determine the total amount of soluble solids in water using a TDS test. It does not, however, identify any specific substances or sources. As a result, we need to do several extra tests to determine the pollutants present in water.

TDS in Water: How to Reduce or Remove It?

Reverse Osmosis (R.O.): Reverse osmosis eliminates TDS by pushing water through a synthetic membrane under pressure. Only molecules with a diameter of less than 0.0001 microns can flow through the tiny holes in the membraneWater squeezes through the membrane, leaving the dissolved metals and salts behind because the metals and salts’ molecules are more significant than the water molecules.

Distillation: Boiling water produces water vapor in this process. Water vapor rises to a cool surface and condenses back into a liquid state. Because the dissolved salts can’t evaporate, they stay in the boiling solution.

Deionisation (DI): We use a positive and negative electrode to pass water through this process. Positive ions can split from the water and move towards the negative electrode thanks to the ion-selective membranes. The end result is highly pure deionized water. To remove non-ionic organic pollutants, the water is first run through a reverse osmosis device.

Bottom Line 

Natural sources, sewage, urban run-offs, industrial wastewater, chemicals used in the water treatment process, chemical fertilizers used in the garden, and plumbing are all sources of TDS in drinking water. Water is a universal solvent that can easily pick up contaminants and quickly absorb and dissolve them. Although high TDS levels in drinking water may not pose a health risk, they give the water a bitter, salty, or brackish flavor. Water hardness, scale development, and discoloration can all be caused by calcium and magnesium; two minerals typically present in TDS.

TDS levels in mineral water must be kept at a certain level. Your body will get the essential dissolved organic and inorganic salts if the TDS level in your water is kept at an appropriate level. Do you find this blog interesting? Then please check out our other blogs too. Please contact us if you want to learn more about TDS or how to remove TDS from water. We are happy to answer all your questions. Do you know more about us and our services, then check out our website

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