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You can't talk about water quality without talking about mineral content. Ask anybody that takes care of an aquarium - imagine accidentally putting salt water into a freshwater tank, or vice versa! But fish aren't the only ones who need to worry about the water in their environment. After all, it makes up 70 percent of our bodies. That's why many people use TDS meters to help determine if their water is heathy for them (or their fish).

Water filtration ads often mention TDS, and use it as a way to determine if their are microscopic contaminants in your water after filtering. "Zerowater" got it's name this way - by selling a filter that could remove minerals enough to produce a TDS reading of 0. But what does a TDS meter really do, and why do you need one?

What is TDS, and how is it measured?

TDS stands for Total Dissolved Solids, and is a measure of the amount of salts and mineral particles in a container of water. A TDS meter measures how many ppm (parts per million) are present in a container of water. The higher the ppm, the more minerals are present in the solution.

If you've ever had tap water taste "off" or seen the glass in your bathroom develop a residue over time, your water likely had a fairly high TDS (known as "hard" water).

Why should you test for Total Dissolved Solids?

Using a TDS tester makes it easy to check the suitability of a water source for agricultural and industrial use, as well as water quality in your home, without needing a laboratory. Information about the overall dissolved mineral content of water can help people understand the potential for water hardness, treatment needs, and even human health risks.

Additionally, TDS level can help to identify harmful pollutant sources, as some substances in your water can cause higher levels of TDS. High readings can indicate the presence of contaminants; examples include nitrates, sulfates, chlorides, pesticides, metals, and other dissolved solids which may not be suitable for human consumption.

What does TDS not measure?

It's important to note that TDS is a simple measure of the total amount of dissolved solids in a sample of water. It does not do a detailed water measurement for the amount of specific dissolved solids, but rather gives a general indication of the overall concentration of minerals. It does not take into account things like pH (how acidic or alkaline your water is), or help you determine what chemicals or compounds might be in your water. This does not mean the TDS isn't useful, however. High readings can indicate that your water needs more filtration, or more testing for ideal quality. It's also a good first line of defense against sudden water quality changes.

We should also mention - your goal should not be to have a TDS of 0 for your drinking water! The presence of good minerals, such as magnesium, potassium, and sodium in water help your body hang onto the hydration. Drinking water with too low a TDS rating can actually rob your body of these useful minerals, and leave you more dehydrated.

We designed Colbo SafeCheck to test for several environmental contaminants nitrate salts, a common contaminant from the use of chemical fertilizers in agriculture. This feature, combined with our TDS measurement, gives you an overall reading that can give you peace of mind about your water quality.

What is the ideal TDS reading for drinking water?

While the WHO determined that water under 300ppm is considered "good" quality, the ideal TDS reading for drinking water is between 50-150 milligrams per liter (mg/L). This level of TDS indicates that the water is free from contaminants and is safe to drink. Anything above 50 mg/L may have an unpleasant taste, and anything higher than 500 mg/L can be considered unfit for drinking. In addition, high levels of TDS can damage pipes, fixtures and fixtures, as well as reduce the effectiveness of some household appliances such as water heaters. As a result, it’s important to test your water regularly and ensure that it is within the acceptable range for drinking. If your TDS readings are too high, you may need to install a filtration system or use bottled water until the issue is resolved.

Does a high TDS meter reading mean you need a water filter?

A high TDS meter reading does not necessarily require you to get a top-of-the-line reverse osmosis water filter. However, if you are concerned about the quality of your water, it is worth investigating whether a water filter would be beneficial. Using a TDS meter and determining your water quality first can help you save money in the long run, and inform your choice when buying a water filtration system. The value of a TDS meter is minimal compared to water filters, so its a better investment to test first.

Colbo SafeCheck is a 4 in 1 TDS, EMF, Gamma Radiation, and Nitrate test kit that helps keep you in control of your health, and your environment. Learn More

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