Water Contaminant: Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)
What is TDS?
Total dissolved solids (TDS) refer to the amount of inorganic and organic substances dissolved in water. These include a wide variety of substances, including minerals, salts, metals, and other organic and inorganic compounds. Although TDS is not necessarily harmful, certain levels of TDS in drinking water can have adverse effects on human health. In this blog, we will explore what TDS is, how it is measured, and why it is harmful to human health.
How is TDS Measured?
TDS is measured in parts per million (ppm) or milligrams per liter (mg/L) and can be measured using a variety of methods, including gravimetric analysis, conductivity, and colorimetry. The most common method for measuring TDS is conductivity, which measures the electrical conductivity of water. When water contains dissolved solids, it conducts electricity better than pure water. By measuring the electrical conductivity of water, we can determine the amount of dissolved solids present.
How does TDS contaminate our water?
TDS can come from a variety of sources, including natural sources such as rocks and soil, human activities such as agriculture and industry, and municipal water treatment plants.
Common TDS include:
Calcium and magnesium ions (hardness)
Sodium and chloride ions (saltiness)
Sulfates
Bicarbonates
Iron
Manganese
Nitrate
Fluoride
Arsenic
Lead
Is High TDS Harmful to Health?
While low levels of TDS are not harmful, high levels of TDS can have adverse effects on human health. High TDS can indicate the presence of harmful substances such as lead, arsenic, and fluoride, which can have serious health effects when consumed in large amounts.
High TDS can also affect the taste and odor of water, making it a nuisance contaminant. Water with high TDS can have a bitter, salty, or metallic taste.
In addition to its effects on human health, high TDS can also have negative effects on plumbing and appliances. When water with high TDS is heated, the dissolved solids can precipitate out of the water and form scale buildup in pipes and appliances. This can reduce the lifespan of plumbing and appliances and increase maintenance costs.
TDS removal and reduction
There are several ways to remove TDS (total dissolved solids) from water, but the best method will depend on the specific TDS present and the source of the water. Here are some of the most common methods for removing TDS from water:
Deionization or Ion-Exchange: Deionization is a method that uses ion exchange resins to remove dissolved ions from water. It is effective at removing ions such as calcium, magnesium, sodium, and chloride.
Activated Carbon Filtration: Activated carbon filtration is a method that uses activated carbon to remove impurities from water. While it is not as effective as other methods for removing TDS, it can be useful in removing some organic compounds and improving the taste and odor of water
Reverse Osmosis (RO): Reverse osmosis is a popular method for removing TDS from water. It works by forcing water through a semi-permeable membrane that removes the dissolved solids. RO systems are effective at removing many common TDS, including minerals, salts, and metals.
Distillation: Distillation is another method for removing TDS from water. It involves boiling water and collecting the steam, which is then condensed back into water. This process removes most TDS, including minerals, salts, and metals.
Electro-dialysis (ED): Electro-dialysis is a process that uses an electric field to remove ions from water. It is effective at removing ions such as calcium, magnesium, sodium, and chloride.
Longevity systems to remove TDS
Longevity Water Systems use a combination of activated carbon filtration, ionization (Longevity Softeners), and reverse osmosis to remove TDS. Our team will test for more specific TDS contaminants to identify which systems will be the most effective. There isn’t a one-size-fits all solution to TDS removal, so we approach it on a case-by-case basis.
Longevity Carbon Filtration
Our activated carbon filtration systems remove some TDS and other contaminants such as chlorine, pharmaceuticals, and organics — including Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and antibiotics.
Reverse-Osmosis
RO is considered one of the most all-around effective ways of eliminating water contaminants, removing up to 99% of heavy trace metals such as lead and chromium, unsafe minerals like asbestos, and 80+ other additional contaminants. Because RO requires higher maintenance and frequent filter changers, it is advised to use them only at drinking water use points, such as in the kitchen.
Longevity Water Softeners (Ion Exchange)
Our high-quality softeners are designed to remove calcium, manganese and trace amounts of other contaminants. Water softened by a Longevity system is not slimy or salty because we use the high-end media and resin.
Conclusion
While low levels of TDS are not harmful, high levels of TDS can indicate the presence of harmful substances and can have adverse effects on human health. It is important to test the TDS levels in drinking water regularly or have individual contaminants tested in order to treat the water appropriately.
