The drinking water which gets supplied to our home is full of toxic chemicals collected from numerous industrial plants. As a result of this, natural minerals get removed from the water. In this scenario, it is vital to implement proper purification processes to eliminate all the contaminants and ensure that the water is absolutely safe for drinking purposes.
The primary hazardous components present in the water are TDS or Total Dissolved Solids. The particles greater than 2microns are labelled as TDS. The level of low to high TDS not only changes the taste of the water but also poses various health hazards. You can eliminate this TDS by installing an efficient water purifier in your home. In today’s article, we will discuss why it is important to maintain a proper TDS level in the drinking water.
Total Dissolved Solids
TDS or Total Dissolved Solids are inorganic and organic particles, including the ions and minerals in the water that easily dissolve. When the water gets through the pipes, various surfaces, or stones, the particles get absorbed in the water. TDS in the water comes from multiple sources like minerals of the chemicals that are used to treat water, fertilizers of the farms, or runoff from the road salts.
The necessity of Measuring the TDS present in the water
Water with a high level of TDS in the water can lead to numerous health problems. Moreover, the water with more than 1000 mg/ liter of TDS is unfit for human consumption. The presence of Sodium, Potassium, and chlorides enhances the TDS in the water. A more prolonged intake of harmful ions like cadmium, nitrate, arsenic, and lead in the water might even result in paralyzes or brain stroke. High TDS levels are incredibly toxic for the children as they are more sensitive to various diseases as their immune system is still developing.
How can TDS Cause Harm to the Human Body?
The TDS in the water does not measure any single contaminant. Most government agencies do not regard it as a health concern. However, a high TDS can affect the odor and taste of the water. The EPA (Environmental protection Agency) has fixed that up to 500 mg/liter PPM is suitable for drinking purposes.
You can determine the TDS level through a TDS meter that will determine the total number of dissolved solids present in the water. However, it will not recognize any particular compound or source. As a result of this, it is significant to carry out some additional investigations to distinguish the toxic particles that are present in the water.
TDS of the Drinking Water
One of the most vital questions that linger in people’s minds is the acceptable amount of TDS in the water. Well, to answer this, we have tried to discuss the TDS level and the palatability quotient between the two.
| TDS level in PPM (parts per million) | Palpability Quotient |
|---|---|
| Between 50 to 100 | Outstanding quality for drinking |
| 150 to 250 | Good |
| 250 to 300 | Fair |
| 300 to 500 | Poor |
| Above 1200 | Not suitable for consumption |
How Much TDS Level is Ideal for Drinking and Health
The TDS level’s upper limit is considered as 500 PPM as determined by the BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards). However, the highest TDS level that is recommended by WHO is 300 PPM. Below is the table that determines how much TDS is perfect for health and drinking purposes.
| TDS level in Milligram/Liter | Acceptable or Not Suitable |
|---|---|
| Lower than 50 | Not suitable as the essential minerals are absent |
| 50 to 150 | Acceptable for drinking purposes. TDS level is perfect for those areas where the water is polluted due to industrial waste and sewage |
| 150 to 350 | Good as the water is suitable for people with cardiovascular diseases |
| 350 to 500 | Fairly suitable for drinking |
| 500 to 900 | Less acceptable |
| 900 to 1200 | Less acceptable. Water that has a TDS level of more than 900 should not be used for drinking purpose |
| 1200 to 2000 | Not at all ideal for drinking |
| More than 2000 | Should be rejected |
Why is it very much essential to keep a check on the TDS level of the water?
Below are some of the most important reasons to keep a check on the water’s TDS level. They are stated in detail.
- Health Purpose: Water with higher TDS can cause some serious health issues due to the presence of copper, lead, cadmium, or arsenic in high amounts.
- Cooking: High TDS can also affect the taste of the food due to the use of water in it.
- Taste: High TDS level affects the taste of the water you will be going to consume. It might become sulfuric, salty, or bitter based on the number of dissolved solids present in it.
- Filter Maintenance: Water purification systems are also positively affected due to high TDS. Thus you should always check the water filtration systems often to make sure that it is working correctly.
- Cleaning: High TDS water leaves an ugly mark on the utensils. The water can also fade your clothes’ bright color that can often lead to the buildup in the tubs, sinks, and faucets.
Final Thoughts:
Installation of the correct water purifier will assist you in dealing with the TDS level of the water. RO water purifier is the best machine that can handle a TDS level of 200 to 2000 PPM with no problem. Also, if the purification device includes a TDS controller, then you can be completely worried free about the drinking water.
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