Table of Contents
Water is best when it is in its purified form, but it is seldom the case. Even the tap water which is deemed convenient for most people contains harsh minerals that may or may not suit everyone, especially people on restricted diets. High calcium, sodium, magnesium, or iron content in water poses a threat not only to your internal organs but also to your skin, hair, electrical devices, water supply pipelines, and laundry along with the staining which ruins the health of your entire housing items.
The best way to decide what to do in such a case is to do a water test and what is better than a TDS test to determine the level of total dissolved solids in water. A TDS metre or tester will help you do the initial reading after which you can invest in a good filtration and softener system that suits your needs.
This article provides a complete guide for those who want to know all about the TDS tester, why it is important and how you can measure the levels.
Here’s an instructional video about the TDS metre:
Here are some of the things you need to know if you want to know if UV-treated water is safe to drink or not:
TDS & TDS Tester?
TDS:
TDS stands for total dissolved solids which are the measurement of biotic and anti-biotic organisms or impurities present in a sample of water. These could be any kind of minerals such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium, hydrogen sulphide, metals such as iron as well as dirt and debris which enters the water through getting in touch with the rocks in natural surroundings such as lakes and springs. They usually have a strong effect on the look, smell, and taste of the water which is quite apparent.
TDS Tester:
A TDS tester or a TDS metre is a device that is supposed to measure the number of solids dissolved in a contained sample of water. It is convenient to
use and is a portable gadget to indicate the presence of dissolved solids by detecting the permeability of water which is enhanced because of the presence of high mineral and salt content.
This test is usually conducted before you invest in buyin
g a water filter so that you do not waste your money as a result. This TDS tester or metre is quite affordable for anyone looking for a quick water quality test. The point to notice here is that it only detects the number of dissolved solids in the water though there are other models on the market with advanced features.
Importance of TDS Measurement
Simply put, a TDS test allows you to analyse the quality of your water if you have been noticing a colour, odour, or taste change. There could be a possible leakage in the pipeline, nearby agricultural or industrial waste dumping near your groundwater reservoir, chemical rain, seepage, etc.
It is important to know if you consume a lot of water depending on your house size and usage that your water supply is pure, soft, and clean. A lot of people do not take this into account and end up destroying their plumbing and sanitation systems and face the negative effects of hard water (high minerals, heavy metals, and salt) on their clothes, kitchen utensils, and electrical appliances.
TDS Water Test
In a basic water test, the TDS test is responsible for testing the number of contaminants or sediments in ppm (per one million water particles) of water. For instance, if a TDS water test determines the TDS in water to be 70, that means the water has 70 ppm of the dissolved solids present inside it (a typical range across the US).
A TDS water test is not essential if you have already taken a TDS metre reading, it is better to take relevant action such as contacting the professionals for a filtration system installation as well as getting a water softener.
TDS Levels
Much like a pH scale reading, you want your water to be at an optimal level.
Low Level:
This level is almost perfect, if your water has a low level of TDS in it, that means it is mostly pure and there are more water molecules as compared to impurities. This also means that the water looks, smells, and tastes great and refreshing.
High Level:
In comparison, high levels of TDS mean that the water has more contaminated particles which affect the appearance and taste of water.
If your water is filtered and pure yet it can have a high TDS reading, why? Because the job of a TDS tester is to measure the dissolved solids so if the water hardness is high, it means it has a high content of sodium, calcium, and magnesium which are also healthy if they are in contained amounts. It is better to get a softener system with a remineralizing filter to ensure that your water contains all the healthy nutrients.
FAQS
How do I decide on a good water filtration system?
It depends entirely on the level of TDS your water contains and for that you can obtain a water quality report from your local provider and get professionals to decide what filtration system suits your water supply.
Does a water softener reduce high levels of TDS?
If you use it along with a water filter, then a water softener and filter combo help reduce high amounts of TDS in water.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, a TDS tester is an essential step to determine the level of dissolved solids which are calcium, metals, sodium, magnesium, etc in a water sample. Only then you can decide whether to get a filtration or water softener that reduces the amount of these dissolved solids.
Though keep in mind that it is not necessary to get a TDS water done at a professional level because the TDS metre is enough to determine the level of contaminants in water, so you don’t need to waste additional money on a large scale.