If you are concerned about the quality of your drinking water, you might have heard about the term TDS. TDS, or Total Dissolved Solids, is one of the most important parameters that indicate whether your drinking water is safe or not. It not only affects the taste, hardness, and appearance of the water but also impacts your health and household appliances.
In this blog, we will explain what TDS is, how it affects water quality, why managing TDS is important, and how RO water purifiers help in maintaining the right TDS levels. You will also learn about essential tools like the TDS Meter and TDS Adjuster, available at Romegamart, that can help you monitor and control your water's TDS level.
TDS stands for Total Dissolved Solids, which refers to the inorganic salts and small amounts of organic matter dissolved in water. These substances can include:
Calcium
Magnesium
Potassium
Sodium
Bicarbonates
Chlorides
Sulfates
Heavy metals (lead, arsenic, mercury, etc.)
Industrial pollutants and pesticides
These dissolved solids can come from natural sources, sewage, urban runoff, industrial wastewater, chemicals used in water treatment, and plumbing materials.
TDS is an essential factor in assessing the purity, taste, safety, and suitability of drinking water. High TDS levels may:
Make water taste salty, bitter, or metallic
Cause health risks due to the presence of heavy metals and contaminants
Lead to scaling and corrosion in water heaters, pipes, and appliances
Reduce the effectiveness of soaps and detergents
On the other hand, very low TDS water may lack essential minerals and taste flat or acidic.
According to the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the acceptable TDS level in drinking water is:
TDS Level (ppm) | Water Quality |
---|---|
50 – 150 | Excellent |
150 – 250 | Good |
250 – 350 | Fair |
350 – 500 | Poor (Needs Purification) |
Above 500 | Unsafe (Not recommended) |
While BIS permits up to 500 ppm, the ideal range is 50–150 ppm for good taste and safe drinking.
There are several reasons why your water might have high TDS levels:
Borewell or groundwater sources often contain high levels of calcium, magnesium, and fluoride
Industrial and agricultural activities can increase nitrates, sulfates, and heavy metals
Old plumbing systems may leach lead or iron into the water
Municipal water supply may contain chlorine and dissolved salts from treatment processes
To accurately measure the TDS in your water, you can use a digital TDS meter. This device shows the TDS level in ppm (parts per million).
You can easily buy a TDS Meter online to monitor the water quality at home. It is a must-have tool for every household to ensure the water purifier is working properly.
An RO (Reverse Osmosis) water purifier is one of the most effective systems to reduce and manage TDS levels in drinking water. Here's how it works:
Water is passed through a semipermeable membrane
This membrane allows only water molecules to pass through, blocking dissolved salts, metals, and impurities
The result is clean, low-TDS, safe drinking water
If you live in an area with high TDS levels (more than 300 ppm), using an RO purifier becomes essential.
While RO systems reduce TDS significantly, ultra-low TDS water may not be ideal either. It may lose essential minerals required for your body. That’s where a TDS Adjuster or TDS Controller comes in.
You can buy a reliable TDS Adjuster to balance the TDS after RO filtration and retain necessary minerals in your water.
Improved taste of drinking water
Protection from health issues due to heavy metals or excess sodium
Longer lifespan of appliances like water heaters and kettles
Better digestion and hydration with the right mineral balance
Myth 1: Low TDS water is always good.
Fact: Water with extremely low TDS (<50 ppm) can be acidic and tasteless, and may lack essential minerals.
Myth 2: All high TDS water is unsafe.
Fact: If the high TDS is due to safe minerals like calcium and magnesium, it may not be harmful.
Myth 3: Boiling water reduces TDS.
Fact: Boiling kills microbes but does not remove dissolved solids.
Use this guide to choose the right purification method:
TDS Range | Recommended Purification Method |
---|---|
< 300 ppm | UV or UF purifiers |
300 – 1000 ppm | RO purifier with TDS controller |
> 1000 ppm | RO + UV purifier + TDS adjuster |
Visit Romegamart to explore a wide range of domestic RO systems, TDS meters, and TDS adjusters for your home.
Q1: What is TDS in a water purifier?
TDS stands for Total Dissolved Solids. It measures the concentration of dissolved minerals, salts, and impurities in drinking water.
Q2: What is the ideal TDS level for drinking water in India?
The ideal TDS range is between 50–150 ppm. BIS permits up to 500 ppm for safe drinking.
Q3: Can I drink water with very low TDS?
Water with TDS below 50 ppm may lack essential minerals. It is better to maintain it between 100–150 ppm for health benefits.
Q4: How do I test the TDS level of water at home?
You can use a TDS Meter to instantly check the TDS level of your tap or filtered water.
Q5: What happens if I drink high TDS water regularly?
It may lead to health issues due to heavy metals, affect taste, and cause scaling in appliances.
Q6: Can I increase the TDS in RO water?
Yes, with a TDS Adjuster or mineral cartridge, you can increase the TDS after purification to a safe level.
Understanding TDS in water purifiers is essential for every household, especially in urban areas where water quality is inconsistent. Using a TDS meter to monitor, and a TDS adjuster to manage, the water’s mineral content ensures that you get safe, healthy, and great-tasting drinking water. Choose the right RO system based on your water source and TDS levels for long-term health and appliance safety.
Visit Romegamart to get access to high-quality TDS-related domestic spares, purifiers, and expert support today.