In this article, I will tell you what is the meaning of TDS in water purification or purifiers, its effects, and removal tips.
Whenever you talk about pure water or water impurities, you definitely have heard a term called "TDS". The level of TDS in drinking water matters a lot in order to keep yourself healthy and fit.
Most of the quality water purifiers, clean the water by working on TDS reduction. So, TDS is a widely used term in the water purifiers industry. If you are thinking about buying a water purifier for your use then you must be aware of the term TDS.
What is The Meaning of TDS in Water Purification?
There are lots of impurities like dust, dirt, chemicals, and bacteria dissolved in the raw water. The total number of substance present in water in soluble form is known as TDS which stand for Total Dissolved Solids.
In other words, we can say TDS are the solid matters which are dissolved in water and these can not be visible by nagged eyes. TDS in water is measured in ppm (parts per million) or milligrams per liter. This substance can be an organic, inorganic, metal, non-metal, ion, etc.
Although most of the solids dissolved in the water are harmful they also contain some minerals which are beneficial for health. Usually, particles bigger than 2 microns are considered in the TDS.
Types of Total Dissolved Solids
There are a number of dissolved solids that can be present in the raw water. They can be salt, organic, inorganic, metal, non-metal, ion, etc. Some of them are good for humans but most of the solids are considered impurities which harmful to health.
Depending on the origin of the water like whether it is tap water or borewell water or else, the following types of matters can be available in the raw water at different volumes -
- Iron
- Aluminum
- Sodium
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Sulfate
- Bicarbonate
- Chlorides
- Potassium
- Nitrate
- Boron
- Silica
- Zinc
- Lead
- Arsenic, etc.
These are some common impurities that may be available in the water. The volume of the above substance can vary from source to source.
Water can get these solid impurities from different sources as it flows from the river to the destination. It gets calcium, magnesium, silica, etc. naturally as it passes through various underground rocks and rivers.
It can also get some unwanted impurities from house wastage. Various chemicals, Bactria, and viruses are dissolved in plants and factories that can produce harmful diseases.
Along with these sources, some mineral water-making companies add various matters like calcium, magnesium, Chloride, etc. by themselves to increase the minerals in water and taste.
Effect of Drinking Higher TDS Water on the Human Body
The TDS level of water may affect human life in various ways. Dissolved solids change the taste of water and can make it salty or bitter.
There can be various side effects of drinking high-TDS water. Higher TDS water can cause kidney, stomach, and liver problems. The actual effect depends on the higher or lower substance.
Your drinking water becomes salty and bitter in taste if it contains a higher amount of sodium. Also, a higher amount of sodium can lead to high blood pressure and heart-related diseases.
If you take high TDS water for a long time, it may cause some really serious diseases like cancer, kidney stones, lower immunity, vomiting, etc.
Effect of Drinking Lower TDS Water on the Human Body
Many people use water purifiers to reduce the TDS level of water but just like higher TDS, water with lower dissolved solids is also not good for health.
Low TDS water also has low minerals that are essential for the human body. Due to the lack of these minerals, you can feel laziness, loss of strength, dizziness, weakness of bones, tiredness, etc.
The minerals, available in water, are present in an ionic form that is absorbed by bones easily. If you drink low TDS water which also has a lower volume of minerals can lead to Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Lewy body disease, etc.
It can create a deficiency of minerals in our body and that can cause pregnancy complications, birth defects, bone fracture, tooth loss, and worsening of the heartbeat.
If we store lower TDS water in plastic bodies, it will dissolve in water quickly and that water will also be harmful to us. A good level of TDS can also reduce water wastage.
Other than health-related issues, higher or lower TDS water can also generate problems in cooking, washing dishes, water hardness, and many more.
So, looking at the effects of lower and higher TDS in the water we can conclude that we should drink and use water that should have sufficient minerals or you may say enough volume of TDS.
Normal Value of TDS for Drinking Water
After reading the side effects of an unbalanced volume of TDS in water, one question may come to your mind What is the normal value of TDS for drinking water?
According to WHO the TDS of water should be below 900 ppm and you must not consume water with more than 1200 TDS. The below table gives the complete details of the recommended TDS volume in water by WHO -
S.N. | TDS VOLUME | REMARK |
1. | Below 300 ppm | Excellent |
2. | Between 300 to 600 ppm | Good |
3. | Between 600 to 900 ppm | Fair |
4. | Between 900 to 1200 ppm | Poor |
5. | Above 1200 ppm | Unacceptable |
WHO also remarked the low volume of TDS in water is unacceptable because it gives an unpleasant taste and also has a low volume of beneficial minerals.
Final Words
TDS stands for total dissolved solids which are the substance present in water in soluble form. They might be dangerous for health if one regularly drinks high TDS water. As per WHO, you should consume water that has a TDS level below 300 ppm. However, it also consists of some minerals in low volume which are essential for the human body. So, drinking extremely low levels of TDS water is also not recommended. You may get affected by the various disease if drink lower or higher TDS water.
Read Also
Meaning of TDS in Water Purification - Common FAQ
Q 1. What is the best level of TDS in drinking water?
Ans: As per WHO, you should consume water that has a TDS level below 300.
Q 2. Is low TDS water harmful?
Ans: It can create a deficiency of minerals in our body and that can cause pregnancy complications, birth defects, bone fracture, tooth loss, worsening of heartbeat, and many other diseases.
Q 3. Is high TDS in water harmful?
Ans: Your drinking water becomes salty and bitter in taste if it contains a higher amount of sodium. Also, a higher amount of sodium can lead to high blood pressure and heart-related diseases.