What Are Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) ? | YASA ET Tips
In water and wastewater treatment, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) are a common measure for water quality. But what are TDS exactly? How can it be treated? A simple explanation by YASA ET.
What Is TDS?
Total dissolved solids (TDS) is the term used to describe the inorganic salts and small amounts of organic matter present in solution in water. The principal constituents are usually calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium cations and carbonate, hydrogen carbonate, chloride, sulphate, and nitrate anions.
A high level of TDS in water can lead to a number of health problems. The presence of potassium, sodium, chlorides increases the TDS level in the water. However, the presence of toxic ions such as lead, nitrate, cadmium, and arsenic present in water can lead to a number of serious health problems.
How To Measure TDS In Water?
Total dissolved solids (TDS) is measured as a volume of water with the unit milligrams per litre (mg/L), also known as parts per million (ppm).
To measure the TDS levels in water we can use a TDS meter. Since a normal TDS meter cannot report with accuracy which kind of substances there are in the water, we recommend a lab chemical analysis to make sure to know which kind and quantity of total dissolved solids are in your water.
Water can be classified by the level of total dissolved solids (TDS) in the water:
Fresh water: TDS is less than 1,000 ppm
Brackish water: TDS = 1,000 to 10,000 ppm
Saline water: TDS = 10,000 to 35,000 ppm
Hypersaline: TDS greater than 35,000 ppm
A level between 50-150ppm is considered excellent for drinking. Above 300ppm the water quality diminish drastically and it could lead to health consequences on the long run if not treated beforehand.
How To Lower TDS In Water?
The three most common methods to reduce Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) in water are:
Distillation;
Deionisation (DI).
With the right set up all of these methods can reduce the TDS contained in water by reducing the TDS levels to excellent quality for drinking (50-150ppm).
If you have any doubts about TDS and your water quality, YASA ET can help to answer your questions.
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Thanks for the clear TDS breakdown, especially the distinction from TSS and why temperature compensation matters. I use a cheap TDS meter for my reef tank and RO unit; it’s surprising how quickly readings drift after a filter change. The YASA ET tips are practical and easy to apply. Off-topic, but if you like dark narrative games, I’ve been hooked on https://the-falsesun.com, a free horror visual novel with 20 endings, unlock guides, and walkthroughs.
TDS is one of those metrics that gets thrown around a lot without much context, so it's good to see a clear breakdown. What most people miss is that TDS only tells you the total mass of dissolved ions — it says nothing about whether those ions are harmless minerals or something you'd rather not drink. High TDS also affects taste and can foul membranes in RO systems, so pairing a TDS reading with a proper lab panel is really the smarter move. Off-topic, but while waiting on my own sample results I've been killing time with endless word ladders at today's poople answer — no daily cap, so you can just keep playing.
Great introduction to TDS — it's one of those water quality metrics people overlook until they notice how differently tap water tastes from one city to another. The mineral content really does shift with local geology and source water, which is why regional comparisons get so interesting once you start paying attention. If that kind of geographic variation fascinates you, testing yourself on random street views worldwide is a fun next step: learn more.
Finally, a clear explanation of TDS — most people mix it up with turbidity or hardness entirely. I've been logging my RO unit's readings, and the ppm swings after each filter change genuinely surprised me, so this breakdown of what's actually dissolved versus suspended was helpful. One suggestion: a short note comparing cheap TDS meters against lab gravimetric results would be great for beginners. Off-topic, but while waiting on my water tests I've been burning time on low-poly racers, and a PolyTrack backup mirror has been handy whenever the main site lags. Keep these tips coming.