what is the tds

TDS stands for Total Dissolved Solids, which is a measure of the amount of organic and inorganic materials, such as metals, minerals, salts, and ions, dissolved in a particular volume of water. TDS is measured in milligrams per liter (mg/L) or parts per million (ppm). Testing water using a TDS meter is the simplest way to measure for total dissolved solids. However, a TDS meter does not indicate what types of TDS are present, which is ultimately the most important information to know regarding water quality. TDS in water can come from just about anywhere, including natural water springs, chemicals used in the water treatment process, and the nature of the piping or hardware used to convey the water. While TDS is not considered a health hazard, an elevated TDS level can impact the taste and smell of water. There are various ways to reduce TDS in water, including reverse osmosis (RO) and distillation.