What is TDS in Water?

Categories: General

Water quality can vary depending on where it comes from and how it is treated.

A key indicator of water quality is TDS, which stands for total dissolved solids. These are the minerals, salts, and organic matter that are dissolved in water, which can impact its taste and health, as well as affect home appliances.

That’s why it’s important to understand what TDS is, whether you’re a homeowner or a business, so that you can ensure you’re using and consuming water that is safe and healthy.

In this piece, we will explore what TDS is, what levels are considered safe, typical TDS levels in the UK, and effective ways to reduce TDS in water.

What is TDS?

Total Dissolved Solids refer to the content of inorganic and organic substances that are present in water in a dissolved form. These substances include minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, and sulphates, as well as small amounts of organic matter.

Usually, TDS is measured in parts per million (ppm) or milligrams per litre (mg/L). It’s worth noting that it isn’t necessarily harmful, with some minerals being beneficial to health. However, excessively high levels of TDS can affect water taste, cause scaling in pipes and appliances, and potentially pose health risks depending on the types of dissolved solids present.

How Much TDS in Water is Safe?

The World Health Organization and other health authorities have broken down the different ranges:

  •  0–300 ppm: Excellent water quality – ideal for drinking.

  • 300–600 ppm: Good water quality – safe and acceptable for consumption.

  • 600–900 ppm: Fair water quality – may have slight taste issues; generally safe.

  • 900–1200 ppm: Poor water quality – may not be safe for long-term consumption.

  • Above 1200 ppm: Unacceptable – not recommended for drinking due to potential health risks.

What is the TDS of Tap Water in the UK?

Generally, tap water in the UK is considered safe to drink, while being carefully monitored to ensure quality.

The typical TDS levels in UK tap water range from 100 to 400ppm. This varies depending on the region and water source, but anywhere between those two figures is considered either excellent or good.

Areas with hard water, which contains higher levels of calcium and magnesium, may have slightly higher TDS, but either way, UK tap water remains well within safe limits for human consumption.

How to Reduce TDS in Water

If the TDS in your water is higher than recommended, or could be lowered to make it into the excellent range, you can implement a range of methods to reduce it. Let’s break it down:

  • Reverse Osmosis Systems: RO can effectively filter out dissolved solids from water, including salts, minerals, and heavy metals.

  • Distillation: This method heats water to create steam and condenses it back into liquid, which gets rid of most dissolved solids.

  • Deionisation: This process removes ionised salts and minerals using resin beds.

  • Water softeners: Despite their primary purpose being to remove hardness caused by calcium and magnesium, some water softeners can help reduce TDS. 

Why TDS Matters

TDS is a sign of water quality. While some dissolved solids are beneficial, excessive TDS can have a negative impact on taste, health and appliances.

Fortunately, the majority of UK tap water has a safe level of TDS, but if you need to reduce your water’s TDS, you can do so using various methods.

If you have any additional questions on TDS or water quality. Feel free to contact us. We have years of experience and will be happy to help you in any way we can.