what tds is safe to drink

Water contains various amounts of substances and dissolved solids known as TDS. TDS levels indicate the purity of water and high TDS levels make water undrinkable and must be purified before use. Now, what exactly is TDS? TDS stands for total dissolved solids and refers to the concentration of dissolved solids in water. It comprises inorganic salts, such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium, and organic matter such as carbonates, nitrates, chlorides, bicarbonates, sulfates, etc. 

The TDS level refers to how many solids are present in the water. This level should be in an acceptable range to be drinkable. You may be wondering what tds is safe to drink? That’s what we aim to answer in this detailed blog.

TDS Levels on Taste and Appearance of Water 

TDS levels have a direct impact on your health. TDS is measured in parts per million (PPM) and milligrams per liter (mg/L). If the TDS level is high, i.e., above 1000 ppm then it changes the appearance of water and makes it taste bitter and salty. Food cooked with this water may not taste appropriate. Also, water with high TDS levels may exude unpleasant odors and this water is also less thirst-quenching. 

Hence, it is important to purify such water and make it fit for use. You can use a TDS meter to check the levels of TDS in water. A TDS meter measures TDS levels by checking the electrical conductivity of TDS in water. Since dissolved solids increase water’s conductivity, the TDS meter can easily measure the level of the impurities in water. The safe tds level in drinking water is between 50-200. Here’s a chart to illustrate the acceptable tds for drinking water levels.

TDS in Water  (PPM)

Suitability for Drinking 

Between 50-150

Excellent 

150-250

Good

250-300

Fair

300-500

Poor

Above 1200

Unacceptable

Potential Health Effects of High & Low TDS Levels

If you wonder what tds is safe to drink, then you must know that the EPA Secondary Regulations recommend a maximum contamination level of only 500mg/liter or 500 ppm for TDS levels. 1 If water exceeds this level, it may be potentially unsafe for consumption. A high TDS level indicates the excessive presence of potassium, chloride, sodium, arsenic, lead, or nitrates. These contaminants may cause kidney stones, gall stones, and artery blockage, affecting our health.

On the other hand, low TDS levels in water mean low presence of good minerals in water which leads to a flat or flavorless taste. Most mineral companies remove TDS before distilling and add the mixture back into the to restore taste before bottling. While water low in TDS levels is not a caution, you may not prefer its taste.

Regulatory Standards and Guidelines for TDS

The US Environmental Protection Agency EPA sets regulatory standards for various contaminants in drinking water. EPA sets these regulations under the Safe Drinking Water Act which monitors drinking water quality and recommends guidelines to water suppliers to enforce these standards. According to EPA, the safe level of tds in drinking water must not exceed 500mg/liter or 500 ppm. 2

Acceptable TDS Levels for Drinking Water 

The acceptable level of tds in drinking water varies from organization to organization. Considering US Environmental Protection Agency EPA, recommends a water TDS level of no more than 500mg/liter or 500ppm. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a water TDS level below 300 ppm to be considered safe for drinking water. Generally, authorities do accept TDS levels of up to 500 ppm. In the US, the average TDS level in water is 350 ppm which is a bit higher than WHO recommendations, but still, it is safe for use.

When it comes to international standards, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) allows TDS levels of up to 500 mg/liter but recommends below 200 mg/liter for better taste.

If we look at each contaminant separately, then here are the general guidelines for the recommended levels of each contaminant in public water systems as stipulated by the EPA.

Contaminant

Secondary Standard

Aluminum

0.05 to 0.2 mg/L

Chloride

250 mg/L

Copper

1.0 mg/L

Fluoride

2.0 mg/L

Iron

0.3 mg/L

Manganese

0.05 mg/L

Silver

0.10 mg/L

Sulfate

250 mg/L

Total Dissolved Solids

500 mg/L

Zinc

5 mg/L

 

Then there are also unregulated contaminants that are not regulated by the EPA currently but may require regulatory approval in future as these are generally safe and their presence in water may not impact health. EPA publishes a list of unregulated contaminants, named Contaminants Candidate List or CCL every five years to see which contaminants they must regulate.

As far as bottled water is concerned, the EPA guidelines do not apply to them as it is regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration FDA.

Ensure Consistently Safe TDS Levels with SimPure Best Pick Water Filters  

SimPure Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration Systems

Now that you know what tds is safe to drink, you may look for options to filter TDS and make the levels fall within the acceptable range as provided by WHO and EPA. The best option is to consider water filters such as the Countertop: SimPure Y9T and Under Sink: SimPure T1-400 UV water filters.

simpure y9t

For countertop styles, SimPure Y9T is a top-notch water filter utilizing reverse osmosis water filtration to make your water crystal clear and impurity-free. This water filter meets the EPA TDS standards and features a 6-stage water filtration system and an impressive 99.99% sterilization technology that makes your water safe for use. The best aspect of this filter is that it doesn’t need to be installed and is pretty easy to use.

SimPure T1-400 UV

For under-sink styles, the option is the SimPure T1-400 UV 8 Stage Tankless Reverse Osmosis RO Water Filter System. It meets EPA and NSF standards and features an 8-stage water filtration system which reduces TDS levels to 0. Thanks to its tankless design, you save up to 70% of space under your sink. It also comes with filter replacement alerts, helping you purchase filters in advance. 

The most amazing feature of the SimPure Y9T countertop and SimPure T1-400 under-sink water filters is the presence of the T33 filter which easily removes residual pollutants and provides pure water quality. It employs a multi-stage filtration process, incorporating activated carbon to effectively eliminate chlorine, sediment, and unpleasant odors. 

simpure Y9T ro countertop water filter.jpg__PID:d39e7b81-3d53-4977-b21f-c0e846c2cfde

The T33 resin filter’s main purpose is to guarantee a better degree of water purity by eliminating any remaining contaminants that might have gotten past the earlier filtration stages. Furthermore, by lowering the concentrations of minerals like calcium and magnesium, the resin filter can aid in the softening of water

Conclusion

Water must be purified and made impurity-free before using or drinking. The TDS levels in the water affect your health so you must take it seriously. High TDS levels in water may be injurious to your health, leading to various health conditions. Therefore, you must take necessary measures to maintain the TDS levels below 500 ppm as recommended by the EPA. Install a full-fledged water filtration system such as SimPure water filters to completely eliminate the TDS levels and make your water fit for use. Check out SimPure water filters now to get access to clean and safe water.

Get Best Solutions!

 

 Sources

  1. What is TDS in water & why should you measure it?

  2. Drinking Water Regulations