What Are Total Dissolved Solids Or TDS?

Total dissolved solids (TDS’s) are the total amount of all the materials that are dissolved in drinking water. These materials include both natural and man made.

TDS’s are smaller than typical metals and chemicals found in the water and cannot be removed by a traditional filter.

Are Total Dissolved Solids Harmful?

The TDS concentration is a secondary drinking water standard and regulated for more of an aesthetic reason than for health.

Water with elevated levels can be corrosive, salty or brackish tasting and also result in scale formation, and decrease efficiency of hot water heaters. See the pH section and hardness of water.

Drinking water with elevated TDS levels may also contain elevated levels of other metals and chemicals that may be above the primary or secondary drinking water standards including copper, lead, arsenic and nitrates to mention a few.

How Can I Treat Total Dissolved Solids?

The most common treatments for this parameter are installation of Reverse Osmosis system or installation of a distillation system. Reverse Osmosis is more recommended because it doesn’t change the taste quality of your water.

If you think you have total dissolved solids in your drinking water, contact one of our specialists to discuss your water testing and treatment options.