Water TDS and pH Levels?

I am trying to write in layman’s term, So science geeks stay away!

Let’s see what is TDS?

Have you wonder why there is a difference in water in terms of color(we know pure water have no color), taste, and purity. If you look through the water you can look through the particles which are visible, it might be dust or sand. But you know there are 100’s of other materials in that, which we can’t see through our normal eye. Those substances can be organic and inorganic components, Such as heavy metals (don’t panic), Salts ( calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium). In that Excluding the organic matters that are sometimes naturally present in water and the environment, some of these compounds or substances can be essential in life. But, it can be harmful when taken more than the desired amount needed by the body. Since we are consuming unknowingly!

Oh! I forgot to mention TDS stands for “Total Dissolved Solids“, that’s the total concentration of dissolved substances in water.

How is water holding those extra Components?

Water is Known as the universal solvent. water picks up impurities quickly and easily. Even though pure water is odorless, colorless, and tasteless, but with any additives can change its scent, color, and taste. Water has flowed through a region where the rocks have a high salt content. These minerals can originate from a number of sources, both natural and as a result of human activities. Also on some of the groundwater sources may contain high levels of dissolved solids, its mainly due to high amounts of calcium and magnesium in the ground.

As said the human activities are also the major cause for the high level of minerals in the water. Mainly due to industrial wastewater and urban runoff can carry excess minerals into water sources.

How it’s measured?

TDS measured in milligrams per unit volume of water (mg/L) and also referred to as parts per million (ppm). As per WHO the TDS value below 900 is acceptable

Water containing TDS concentrations below 1000 mg/litre is usually acceptable to consumers, although acceptability may vary according to circumstances – as per WHO

What will happen If TDS value is HIGH?

Alone, a high concentration of dissolved solids is usually not a health hazard, but prolong consumption of the same pattern of mineral might create health issue. In fact, a very low level of TDS has been found to give water a flat taste, which most people won’t like. (what to do, we are addicted to taste).

In contradiction to that, there are people, who love to consume Mineral water, In most countries, TDS is treated as Secondary Standard in terms of water quality measurements.

However, an increase in the Concentration of dissolved particles over the period will end up producing Hard water, which is harmful. You might have noticed the deposits around the water tab,  insides of water pipes, and water heaters. Its causes the materials to wear out sooner.

How TDS can be reduced?

Reverse osmosis will remove most of the dissolved substances in the water which are responsible for the elevated TDS value. But reverse osmosis virtually removes all the dissolved substances, which can be both harmful and healthy minerals,  like calcium and magnesium. Even though you can substitute those minerals with your food habits.

So the normal filter system we mostly use in the Home will work on the basis of Reverse Osmosis. In Contract to the Water treatment facilities, will use reverse osmosis, UV treatment, and water flow through a magnesium and calcium mineral bed to add the minerals to the water. The mineral bed also increases the pH and decreases the corrosive potential of the water.

So What is PH?

Interested to know? Comment here.