Section No. | Heading | Focus |
---|---|---|
1 | Introduction to TDS Measurement | Overview |
2 | What is TDS? | Definition & Composition |
3 | Why is TDS Measurement Important? | Health & Quality Reasons |
4 | TDS Measurement Chart | TDS Ranges & Interpretation |
5 | Safe TDS for Drinking Water | WHO & BIS Standards |
6 | How to Measure TDS | Tools & Techniques |
7 | TDS in Different Water Sources | Natural Water vs Tap/RO |
8 | How to Control TDS Levels | Tips & Methods |
9 | TDS Measurement and RO Purifiers | Relevance in Domestic Use |
10 | FAQs on TDS Measurement | Answers to Common Questions |
11 | Final Thoughts | Conclusion & Takeaways |
Water quality has become a serious concern in both rural and urban households. Among various metrics, TDS measurement is a simple yet powerful way to assess how pure your drinking water is. Whether you're using groundwater, borewell, or RO water, knowing the TDS can help you make informed choices.
TDS stands for Total Dissolved Solids. It represents the combined content of all inorganic and organic substances present in a liquid in molecular, ionized, or micro-granular suspended form.
Calcium
Magnesium
Sodium
Potassium
Bicarbonates
Chlorides
Sulfates
Heavy metals (in some cases)
Excessive or insufficient TDS levels can impact the taste and health quality of drinking water.
High TDS can clog filters and damage your RO system over time.
In industries, TDS measurement is crucial for processes like chemical manufacturing, food processing, and pharmaceuticals.
Here’s a TDS chart to help you understand water quality at different levels:
TDS Range (mg/L or ppm) | Water Quality | Suitability |
---|---|---|
0 – 50 ppm | Extremely low minerals | Not suitable for drinking |
50 – 150 ppm | Very soft water | Good for health (with minerals added) |
150 – 300 ppm | Ideal drinking water | Recommended |
300 – 500 ppm | Acceptable | Still suitable for drinking |
500 – 900 ppm | Poor quality | Not ideal for drinking |
900 – 1200 ppm | Very poor | Needs treatment |
>1200 ppm | Unacceptable | Avoid consumption |
๐ก Note: RO purifiers usually bring TDS down to 50–150 ppm, ideal when paired with mineralizers.
According to the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and World Health Organization (WHO):
Ideal TDS: 150 – 300 ppm
Maximum permissible limit: 500 ppm
Too low TDS can lead to mineral deficiency, while high TDS may cause health problems like kidney stones or metal toxicity.
Most common and easy method
Portable, affordable
Insert into a glass of water, and it gives instant ppm reading
Lab-based kits for industrial water testing
Measures comprehensive mineral presence
High-accuracy
Recommended for commercial use and water treatment plants
You can buy a good-quality TDS meter on platforms like Romegamart.com and other water purifier websites.
Water Source | Average TDS Range |
---|---|
Rainwater | 10 – 50 ppm |
RO Water | 20 – 150 ppm |
Tap Water | 150 – 500 ppm |
Groundwater | 300 – 1000+ ppm |
Borewell Water | 500 – 1500+ ppm |
River Water | 100 – 400 ppm |
RO water purifiers are essential when TDS > 300 ppm, especially in borewell and industrial areas.
Use a Reverse Osmosis (RO) purifier
Activated carbon filters help remove organic compounds
Use a TDS controller or mineral cartridge
Add mineralizers to RO systems
Bonus Tip: RO + UV + UF filters offer multi-stage purification for all water types.
TDS measurement is crucial when choosing the right RO purifier for your home or office.
These systems let you adjust TDS output based on source water and personal preference.
Answer: Between 150–300 ppm is ideal.
Answer: Not recommended. It lacks essential minerals.
Answer: Yes, it may cause health issues if above 900 ppm without treatment.
Answer: Yes, RO systems are designed to reduce TDS and improve taste and safety.
Answer: Local geology, pipelines, source water, and storage methods.
Whether you're a homeowner or industrial user, TDS measurement is a critical first step toward safe and healthy water. Understanding what TDS means, how to measure it, and what levels are safe allows you to choose the right RO purifier or water filtration system.
By referring to the TDS measurement chart, you can instantly determine if your water needs treatment or not.