A Comprehensive Guide on How to Reduce TDS Levels in Water
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) refer to the concentration of inorganic salts, minerals, and other substances in water.
TDS includes various dissolved substances like calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride, sulfate, and bicarbonate.
While some levels of TDS are natural and necessary for water to be healthy, excessively high TDS levels can lead to various issues, including an unpleasant taste, scaling, and potential health concerns.
The acceptable TDS level for drinking water ranges between 50-500 ppm, although this can vary based on regional standards and individual preferences.
This article aims to provide a detailed guide on how to reduce TDS levels in water to ensure it meets the desired quality standards.
Click to read: How to Check TDS Level with a TDS Meter
Methods to Reduce TDS in Water
1. Reverse Osmosis (RO) Filtration
Reverse Osmosis filtration is one of the most effective methods to reduce TDS levels in water. It works by forcing water through a semi-permeable membrane, effectively removing a significant portion of dissolved solids.
RO water purifiers are available for residential and industrial use, providing a reliable and efficient way to lower TDS in water.
The process uses specially designed RO membranes with a pore size as small as 0.0001 microns. The small pore size only allows water molecules to pass through and filter out every other impurity.
2. Distillation
Distillation removes contaminants through the same process used in nature, evaporation.
The process involves boiling water to produce steam or water vapor. As water is boiled, water evaporates in the form of steam but the dissolved solids are unable to evaporate. The steam rises to a cool surface, and once it cools down, it condenses into liquid form. This process effectively separates water from dissolved solids, resulting in reduced TDS levels.
Distillation is a viable option for small-scale water purification but may not be as practical for large volumes of water.
3. Deionization
The Deionization process removes total dissolved solids through ion exchange. The process uses specially manufactured ion-exchange resins to exchange water ions with charged ions or dissolved solids. Deionization produces highly pure water that is very similar to distilled water. The advantage of deionization over distillation is that the process is quicker and does not result in scale build-up.
This method is often used in laboratories and industrial settings.
While effective, deionization may not be suitable for household water treatment due to the need for regular resin regeneration.
Conclusion
Reducing TDS levels in water ensures its quality, taste, and safety.
The choice of method depends on the specific characteristics of the water source, budget considerations, and the desired level of purification.
For homes, Reverse Osmosis is the most suitable method to reduce TDS levels in water. Distillation is ideal when you need nearly zero TDS water, e.g. battery water. Deionization is preferable for labs and industries.
