What is a TDS Meter & How to Use It for Water Testing

Is your drinking water truly as clean as it looks? Sure, clear water might look pure, but it can hide dissolved solids. These could affect the taste, impact your health, and harm your appliances. That’s why a TDS meter is so useful, it’s an easy-to-use tool that measures the Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) in your water, revealing what your eyes can’t see.

What Does a TDS Meter Measure?

A TDS meter measures the total dissolved solids in your water, which can include minerals, salts, and even metals. These substances are dissolved in water and can affect its taste, clarity, and overall quality. TDS meters work by measuring the electrical conductivity of water. Simply put, the more dissolved solids are present, the higher the conductivity.

A TDS meter provides a general indication of water quality. However, it can’t pinpoint specific contaminants, such as lead, chlorine, or pesticides. For those, additional testing is required. In the UK, TDS levels in drinking water are recommended to be below 500 ppm (parts per million) to ensure safety and taste.

The World Health Organization (WHO) notes:

Water containing TDS concentrations below 1000 mg/litre is usually acceptable to consumers, although acceptability may vary according to circumstances. However, the presence of high levels of TDS in water may be objectionable to consumers owing to the resulting taste and to excessive scaling in water pipes, heaters, boilers, and household appliances.

How to Use a TDS Meter

Using a TDS meter is straightforward. Here’s how to measure your water’s TDS levels:

1. Turn on the TDS meter and ensure it’s calibrated correctly (if necessary)
2. Fill a clean container with the water sample you want to test.
3. Submerge the meter’s probes in the water, ensuring the electrodes are fully submerged.
4. Wait for the reading to stabilise, and record the value displayed on the meter (in ppm).
5. Interpret the reading:
   • 0-50 ppm: Pure water.
   • 50-150 ppm: Ideal for drinking.
   • 150-500 ppm: Acceptable, but filtration may improve taste.
   • 500-1,000 ppm: Water may need filtration to improve safety and taste.
   • Above 1,000 ppm: Indicates the need for further action (see below).

Culligan’s filters remove 99.9% of TDS leaving you with water measuring 0 ppm, and the TDS meters in our jugs and dispensers let you easily monitor water quality at home. This way, you can feel confident with every sip.

Why TDS Levels Matter for Your Water Quality

TDS levels are a key indicator of your water’s overall quality. High TDS readings can lead to an unpleasant water taste. It can also contribute to scaling in appliances like water heaters, dishwashers, and pipes. This buildup can reduce the lifespan of your appliances and increase maintenance costs.

In general, water with a TDS level above 500 ppm is considered to have too many dissolved solids, which can negatively impact both taste and safety.

However, it’s important to note that high TDS does not automatically indicate contamination. It can also mean that your water has higher levels of minerals, which can affect its taste and quality. Water UK, which provides guidance on UK water standards, recommends a TDS level of 500 ppm as the maximum for safe drinking water.

Understanding TDS Readings

Once you’ve measured the TDS level in your water, understanding what that number means is crucial. TDS readings indicate the concentration of dissolved solids in your water. The higher the TDS, the more noticeable the impact on both taste and functionality is likely to be.

• 0-50 ppm: This range is typically associated with very pure water, ideal for drinking, and often found in filtered or bottled water.
• 50-150 ppm: This is considered the optimal range for drinking water, as it balances minerals for both taste and health benefits.
• 150-300 ppm: Water in this range is generally acceptable for drinking, but may have a slightly off or mineral-heavy taste.
• 300-500 ppm: This is the upper acceptable limit for many homes. While it’s generally safe, you may want to consider filtration if the taste or appearance is affected.
• 500-1,000 ppm: At this level, water may taste salty or metallic, and filtration is highly recommended.
• Above 1,000 ppm: Water with this TDS level is generally considered unsuitable for drinking. It will require treatment or further investigation for potential contaminants.

If you regularly monitor your TDS levels, you can easily identify when the quality of your water dips and take corrective action. Culligan’s TDS meters enable you to test your water regularly, ensuring it remains safe to drink and use.

Take Control of Your Water Quality with Culligan

At Culligan, we eliminate the guesswork when it comes to your water quality. Every Culligan jug and dispenser is equipped with an integrated TDS meter, allowing you to easily monitor the organic and inorganic matter in your water. This ensures that you can stay on top of water quality and ensure it’s fresh, clean, and free from excessive dissolved solids.

But we don’t stop there. Our ZeroWater technology takes it a step further by reducing TDS by up to 99.9%. So you can enjoy pure, great-tasting water at home. Don’t leave your water quality to chance. Shop Culligan with ZeroWater technology and enjoy cleaner, better tasting water today.

For more information, please don’t hesitate to contact us using our contact form.