One of the commonly overlooked aspects of water quality is Total Dissolved Solids (TDS). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the ideal TDS for drinking water is below 300 mg/L, but many water sources, especially in urban areas, exceed this limit.

Some people assume that high TDS means poor water quality, while others believe low TDS water is healthier. This article explains what TDS in water means, clarifies common misconceptions, and explores practical solutions like a water softener for bathroom shower and tap to improve water quality.

What is TDS?

TDS refers to the amount of organic and inorganic substances dissolved in water. These solids include minerals, salts, metals, and other contaminants. Measured in milligrams per liter (mg/L), TDS levels can vary depending on the source of water and how it is treated.

Common Sources of TDS

1. Natural Sources: Water from underground aquifers absorbs minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium.

2. Industrial Discharge: Factories release harmful metals, salts, and other pollutants into nearby water bodies.

3. Agricultural Runoff: Fertilizers, pesticides, and animal waste contribute to higher nitrate levels in water.

4. Municipal Treatment: Treated water often contains additives like chlorine and residual salts.

Why Does TDS Matter?

TDS influences the taste, usability, and safety of water in the following ways:

1. Taste: Water with very low or very high TDS levels often tastes unpleasant.

2. Usability: High TDS water leads to scale buildup in appliances, damages plumbing, and causes dry skin and hair.

3. Safety: Not all dissolved solids are harmful, but excessive TDS can contain contaminants like arsenic, lead, or nitrates.

Understanding Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)

Breaking Down TDS Levels

TDS levels are categorized into four main ranges: 

1. Low TDS (0–50 mg/L): Found in purified or distilled water, but may lack necessary minerals.

2. Moderate TDS (50–300 mg/L): Ideal for drinking water, balancing safety, taste, and health benefits.

3. High TDS (300–1200 mg/L): Common in hard water; can affect taste and usability.

4. Very High TDS (Above 1200 mg/L): Unsafe for consumption and requires treatment.

TDS for Drinking vs Shower Water?

TDS for Drinking Water:

1. Ideal Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) range: 300-500 mg/L.

2. Improves taste and provides essential minerals like calcium and magnesium.

3. Extremely low TDS may taste flat or lack minerals, while high TDS may taste salty or bitter and could contain harmful substances.

TDS for Shower Water:

1. TDS is less important but should be moderate (below 400 mg/L) to avoid skin and hair issues.

2. High TDS can lead to hard water, causing dryness, irritation, and residue on skin and hair.

3. Water softeners can help reduce the effects of high TDS in shower water.

Types of Dissolved Solids

TDS is made up of both essential minerals and harmful contaminants.

1. Beneficial Minerals:

Flourides, Calcium and Magnesium: Supports bone health and metabolic functions.

Potassium: Regulates muscle and nerve functions. 

2. Harmful contaminants

Lead and Arsenic: These can be toxic even in small amounts and can cause long-term health issues.

Nitrates: Harmful at high levels, especially for infants and pregnant women, as they can interfere with oxygen transport in the blood.

Chlorine: Can irritate skin and eyes and, when consumed in high amounts, may pose health risks.

TDS and Taste

TDS has a direct impact on how water tastes.

1. Low TDS Water: Tastes flat or bland due to a lack of minerals.

2. High TDS Water: Can taste salty, metallic, or bitter, depending on the dissolved substances.

Achieving the right TDS balance ensures water is not only safe but also pleasant to drink.

A Practical Solution for High TDS Levels in Water

How Do Water Softeners Work with TDS?

Water softeners do not reduce water's TDS. The reason is that they swap or inert the existing minerals and do not remove them. Only the RO process helps remove salts or TDS from water. They swap or inert harmful dissolved solids by targeting minerals while also improving water quality for household use.

1. KDF-based bathroom water softener:

They inert the hard salts and other harmful components. They are affordable and effective in managing hard water issues. They do not reduce TDS and may increase TDS by small amount. 

2. Ion exchange water softeners:

Water softeners working through ion exchange, replace calcium and magnesium with sodium ions. They also do not reduce The TDS of water.

3. Retaining Beneficial Minerals:

Water softeners retain a balance of dissolved solids to maintain the benefits of essential minerals, unlike other filtration systems like RO or carbon filtration systems.

Debunking Common Myths About TDS

Myth 1: High TDS Water is Always Unsafe

Fact: Not all dissolved solids are harmful. For example, fluorides, calcium and magnesium in permissible amount are beneficial for health. It’s the specific contaminants like lead or arsenic that make water unsafe.

Myth 2: Low TDS Water is Always Healthy

Fact: Extremely low TDS water can lack essential minerals, leading to bland taste and potential health risks from mineral deficiency.

Myth 3: TDS Alone Determines Water Quality

Fact: TDS is just one measure of water quality. With good minerals dissolved a high TDS water will be usable and good for health, while with bad minerals even minor increase in TDS can lead to increase in harmful effects. Other factors like pH levels, microbial contamination, and specific pollutants are equally important.

Conclusion

While some TDS is beneficial, excessive levels can impact the taste, safety, and usability of water. Understanding what TDS in water means helps you make informed decisions about water quality.

Solutions like a water softener for shower and tap can improve water quality by reducing harmful contaminants and balancing TDS levels. By learning how to reduce TDS in water, you can have clean and healthy water throughout your household.