7 Best Non-Electric Water Purifiers Under Rs. 5000

Struggling to find a reliable water purifier that won’t break the bank or rely on electricity?

Look no further.

The quest for the best water purifier under 5000 rupees ends here, addressing the common problem of compromising quality for affordability.

Ever found yourself in the dilemma of wanting the best non-electric water purifier but feeling overwhelmed by the options?

We’ve got your back.

Say goodbye to costly water purifiers and their expensive maintenance – the solution lies in the simplicity of gravity.

Join us as we explore the top picks for the best non-electric water purifiers that not only ensure clean water but also fit into your budget.

Clean water, minimal cost, maximum relief.

Your search for the best water purifier for home under 5000 just got a whole lot easier.

How Non-Electric Water Purifiers Work?

In essence, non-electric water purifiers rely on gravity and natural filtration processes to render water pristine.

Water, when subjected to gravity, passes through multiple layers of filtration media, each designed to filter out impurities.

Be it mesh filters, UF membranes, activated carbon, or other ingenious materials. These simple yet very effective purification stages remove contaminants, leaving you with clean drinking water.

Click to read: Pros and Cons of Gravity-Based Water Purifiers

When to Buy a Non-Electric Water Purifier?

A non-electric water purifier is ideal under the scenarios given below:

  1. The TDS Level of water is below 500 ppm and the water doesn’t contain any heavy metals like lead, arsenic, mercury, etc.
  2. There is no electricity.
  3. You need a portable water purifier.

You shouldn’t choose a non-electric water purifier if the TDS level of water is above 500 ppm or if it is contaminated with heavy metals.

Click to read: How to Check TDS Level of Water with TDS Meter

Key Features to Look for

When hunting for the ideal non-electric water purifier under Rs. 5000, focus on these key features to ensure you make an informed choice.

Filtration Technology

Opt for purifiers employing multiple filtration technologies. Look for activated carbon for chemical removal, mesh/sediment filter for fine particles, and UF technology for microbial control. A comprehensive approach ensures a broader spectrum of contaminant removal.

Capacity and Flow Rate Considerations

Assess your household’s water needs. Purifiers with larger storage capacities are practical for bigger families. Ensure the flow rate matches your daily usage to avoid inconvenience. Strike a balance between capacity and flow for seamless access to purified water.

Durability and Material Quality

Invest in durability. Food-grade durable plastic offers reliability. Consider the build quality of components like the tank, tap, and lid. Evaluate material quality in filter components. Opt for longevity, ensuring your non-electric purifier delivers clean water consistently.

Price

You can find a good non-electric water purifier in the price range of 1500 – 3500. Prices vary based on brand, features, and purification technology. Look for a purifier that fits your budget while meeting your water purification needs.

Ease & Cost of Maintenance

Check if the filters are easily accessible and replaceable. Some purifiers may have filters with longer life spans, reducing the frequency and cost of replacements. Assess maintenance requirements, such as cleaning procedures and the availability of replacement parts. Opt for a purifier that aligns with your convenience and budget for long-term use without excessive maintenance hassles.

Click to read: Water Purifier Buying Guide

Best Non-Electric Water Purifiers in India

1. KENT Gold Optima Gravity Water Purifier

The KENT Gold Optima Gravity Water Purifier, a bestseller in its class, combines affordability with effective water purification. Its transparent, unbreakable design in food-grade ABS plastic ensures durability.

Boasting a triple purification system—sediment filter, activated carbon, and a 0.1-micron UF membrane—it efficiently eliminates dust, mud, chlorine, and bacteria.

With a 5-litre capacity for both raw and purified water, it caters perfectly to the needs of 1 or 2 people.

The compact, lightweight build adds to its charm, making it highly portable and suitable for those with limited space.

While the filtration rate is a bit slow, taking an hour or more for purification, the necessity of weekly or bi-weekly filter cleaning ensures consistent performance.

Installing the UF membrane is straightforward, but removal demands effort. Yet, with an expected life of 4000 litres, it compensates for the occasional maintenance challenge.

In summary, the KENT Gold Optima delivers reliable, affordable, and straightforward water purification for small households or individuals, making it a valuable addition to any living space.


2. TATA Swach Cristella Advance+ Gravity Water Purifier

The TATA Swach Cristella Advance+ Gravity Water Purifier seamlessly integrates into daily life with its user-friendly design. Installing, operating, and maintaining it is straightforward, ensuring a hassle-free experience. Crafted from food-grade transparent plastic, it exudes durability and meets safety standards.

Featuring a dual-stage purification system, including a mesh filter and UHF membrane, it adheres to USEPA guidelines for bacteria, viruses, and cysts, offering reliable water purification.

With a substantial 18-litre storage capacity, it accommodates the needs of 2-3 people. The high flow rate of 4 to 5 litres per hour ensures a swift refill, catering to on-the-go lifestyles.

Compact and lightweight, it’s an efficient space-saver. The small base, though stabilizing, requires thoughtful placement due to its lower height.

However, the purifier exhibits some drawbacks, notably its inability to remove chlorine and the absence of an activated carbon filter for improved taste and odor.

Additionally, a design flaw results in leakage when filling the top container after the bottom one is full.

Despite these considerations, the TATA Swach Cristella Advance+ stands as a reliable, easy-to-use water purifier, especially suited for those prioritizing simplicity and efficiency in a compact form.


3. KENT Gold 20-L UF Gravity Water Purifier

This is the best Kent water purifier in the gravity-based water purifiers segment. Kent Gold is also listed in the top non-electric water purifier list in India.

Key Features

  • Transparent tank made of unbreakable ABS food-grade plastic
  • The high base stand enables easy positioning of glass to draw water
  • Long-life membrane expected to last up to 4000 Litres
  • Ideal for purification of water from most sources preferably low TDS water
  • Purification by hollow fibre ultrafiltration membrane with a pore size of 0.1 microns
  • 7 litres of raw water, 13 litres of purified water
  • Use of nano-silver carbon for better disinfection of water
  • 1-Year Manufacturer Warranty

Kent Gold purifies water using a 3 stage purification process without using any harmful chemicals.

Stage 1: Sediment Filter removes dirt and impurities.

Stage 2: Activated Carbon Filter removes organic and chemical impurities like Chlorine which makes the water odorless and natural tasting.

Stage 3: State-of-the-art hollow fibre UF membrane with a pore size of 0.1 microns removes bacteria and cysts. This makes drinking water pure, without using any harmful chemicals such as Chlorine, Bromine, or Iodine.

Kent Gold has 13 litres of purified water storage capacity and an additional 7 litres in the raw water tank, ensuring that you never run out of purified water.

KENT Gold can be placed on any flat surface. The high-base stand lets you easily fill the glass without limiting the purifier to be placed on the edge of a table/slab.
It is very easy to install and maintain.

This water purifier meets the stringent quality standards of the world’s renowned laboratories like WQA (USA & India) and NSF (USA).

Kent Gold purifies 4000 litres of water and requires an annual replacement of the Kent Gold Spare Kit that costs Rs. 600 only. On the other hand, ordinary gravity purifiers need to have their filter or battery replaced after every 1500 litres of water. This costs around Rs. 475, bringing the annual expense to Rs. 1425. This means an annual saving of Rs. 875, which makes Kent Gold the most cost-effective purifier.


4. Kent Gold Plus Non-Electric Water Purifier

The best gravity-based purification system there is, this Kent water purifier meets WQA and USA Gold Seal purification standards at this amazing price. It purifies water using a hollow Fiber Ultra-Filtration membrane along with Nano-silver carbons.

Kent Gold Plus comes with a large storage tank of 20 litres (10 litres of purified water storage capacity and an additional 10 litres in the raw water tank). The build quality is also quite sturdy and top-notch, made of ABS food-grade plastic.

Key Features

  • Purification Technology: Gravity-Based Purification Using Hollow Fibre UF Membrane
  • Total Purification Capacity/Filter Life: 4000 Litres
  • Storage Capacity: Total Capacity 20 Litres, Purified Water Capacity is 10 Litres
  • Build Material: Food-safe, non-toxic, engineering plastics
  • Warranty: 12 Months

5. KENT Gold Star 22-litres Gravity-Based Water Purifier

Kent Gold Star has the reputation of being India’s first gravity-based, wall-mountable water purifier with the UF membrane.

The hollow fibre hydrophilic UF membrane with a pore size of 0.1 microns ensures that no micro-organisms such as bacteria and cysts pass through it, ensuring 100% microbe-free water. This makes drinking water purer without any use of chemicals like Chlorine, Bromine, or Iodine.

KENT Gold Star has an Activated Carbon Filter that disinfects water and removes bad odor. This will ensure that you always drink 100% safe and pure water.

Key Features

  • Purification Technology: Gravity-Based Purification using UF Membrane
  • Total Purification Capacity/Filter Life: 1500 Litres
  • Storage Capacity: Total Capacity 22 Litres, Purified Water Capacity is 14 Litres
  • Build Material: Food grade and non-breakable plastic
  • Warranty: 12 Months

KENT Gold Star is a first-of-its-kind gravity-based water purifier, which is based on superior UF (Ultra Filtration) technology. KENT Gold Star’s innovative design lets you mount it on a wall. It can also be placed on the countertop.

Kent Gold Star has a large tank of 14 litres for storing purified water; the upper tank, which stores raw water, can store 8 litres. This means that, at any given time, Kent Gold Star can store 22 litres of water.

Kent Gold Star is tested and certified for its performance and quality by renowned laboratories, such as the WQA (USA & India) and NSF (USA).


6. Prestige Non-Electric Acrylic Water Purifier PSWP

The Prestige Non-Electric Acrylic Water Purifier PSWP 2.0 impresses with its commitment to water purity.

It uses a sediment filter and FACT cartridge for the filtration process. Using Log 6:4:3 purification, it eradicates nearly 99.9% of bacteria, protozoa, and cysts, ensuring crystal-clear water.

The pre-filter is washable and should be cleaned at least once every 15 days.

With a filtration rate of 9 litres per hour, it efficiently delivers purified water, saving both time and effort. The compact design doesn’t just save space; it adds a touch of convenience to your kitchen countertop.

Boasting a storage tank of 9-litres for filtered water, it suits the needs of an average-sized family. The auto cut-off feature prevents water overflow, adding an extra layer of safety.

For a family of 2-3 people, the cartridge lasts for around 4-5 months.

However, the notable downside lies in the cost domain. The filter/cartridge expenses are on the higher side, and the annual maintenance cost matches the product price, making it a pricier long-term investment.

In conclusion, the Prestige PSWP 2.0 prioritizes water quality and convenience but comes at a cost. If you’re willing to overlook the higher maintenance expenses, it stands as a reliable choice for ensuring your family’s water safety.


7. TATA Swach Desire+ Gravity Water Purifier

The TATA Swach Desire+ Gravity Water Purifier impresses with its generous 27-litre storage capacity, making it perfect for big families. With 14 litres in the lower container and 13 litres in the upper, it ensures a constant supply of purified water.

Utilizing a 2-stage filtration system—mesh filter for visible impurities and UHF cartridge for finer filtration—it meets Log Reduction Value standards for bacteria, viruses, and cysts as per USEPA guidelines.

The convenience of the base stand eliminates the need to place it at the edge of tables or counters.

With a cartridge life of up to 6000 litres, it offers better longevity and requires less frequent intervention.

With a high flow rate of 4 to 5 litres per hour, it efficiently caters to the needs of a larger household.

While the initial price is on the higher side, the low maintenance cost adds to its appeal, ensuring affordability in the long run.

However, users need to be cautious as water overflow may occur if the lower container is full while the upper container also has water.

Overall, the TATA Swach Desire+ stands as a reliable choice for families seeking ample purified water without compromising on quality.

Conclusion

In wrapping up our exploration of the 7 Best Non-Electric Water Purifiers in India under Rs. 5000, let’s revisit the valuable takeaways.

Among the diverse options, Kent Gold Optima is a standout choice for 1-2 people and Tata Swach Desire+ is ideal for a complete family.

Consider your specific needs, weigh the features, and confidently choose a non-electric water purifier that aligns perfectly with your lifestyle.

Cheers to a future of pure hydration!

FAQs on the Non-Electric Water Purifiers

1. How does a non-electric water purifier work?

Non-electric purifiers typically use gravity-based systems or other manual methods for water filtration, avoiding the need for electricity.

2. Are non-electric purifiers effective against bacteria and viruses?

Yes, many non-electric purifiers utilize advanced filtration technologies to effectively remove bacteria and viruses from water.

3. What is the lifespan of the filters in these water purifiers?

Filter lifespans vary but generally last for several months, depending on factors like water quality and usage.

4. Can non-electric purifiers remove heavy metals from water?

No. Only RO water purifiers can remove heavy metals.

5. Do these purifiers work with high TDS water?

No. Non-electric purifiers are not designed for water with high Total Dissolved Solids (TDS).

6. How often should I clean the filters in a non-electric water purifier?

Cleaning frequency varies. Generally, it’s recommended to clean the filters every week or as indicated in the product manual.

7. Are these purifiers suitable for a family of four or more?

Yes, many non-electric purifiers under Rs. 5000 are suitable for small to medium-sized families. TATA Swach Desire+ is ideal for a family of four or more.

8. Can I use these purifiers for well water?

That depends on the quality of the well water. If the TDS level of well water is under 500 ppm and if there are no heavy metals then non-electric purifiers with sediment, activated carbon and UF filter can be used. You may use any non-electric purifier from Kent Gold Series in this case.

9. How much space do these water purifiers occupy?

Non-electric purifiers are often compact and designed to save space on your countertop or in your kitchen.

10. Is the installation process complicated?

No, the installation is usually straightforward. Most non-electric purifiers come with easy-to-follow instructions for hassle-free setup.

What is Kent’s Zero Water Wastage RO Technology & How It Works

Did you know conventional RO purifiers can waste as much as 70-80% water?

Shocked?

This is unfortunate but that’s the sad truth.

Saving every drop of water is our collective responsibility and this can’t be ignored at any cost.

In a country like ours, where water shortage is a major problem, there can be no justification for such wastage.

Taking note of the unnecessary use of RO purifiers, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) passed an order, in December 2021, banning the use of RO purifiers in areas where the TDS level is below 500 ppm. The NGT further asked the Government of India to make it mandatory to recover more than 60% of water wherever RO is permitted in the country.

Our View

Reverse Osmosis or RO purification is not bad. There is no study, but this effective water purification technology must have saved millions, from waterborne diseases, across the globe.

RO purification is considered the most effective and safest form of home water purification.

The problem is not the technology but its unnecessary use.

Due to a lack of consumer awareness, RO has become the default water purification choice.

But the truth is, that most Indian homes do not need RO purification. Especially the ones where the source of water is municipal water supply.

RO purifiers should only be used where the TDS level is above 500 ppm or if the water source is known to be contaminated with heavy metals like lead, arsenic, fluoride, etc.

Before the official ban, the NGT, in its order dated May 20, 2019, requested the Ministry of Environment and Forests to not only frame rules for the manufacturing and sale of RO purifiers but also to ban RO use in areas with low TDS levels.

Understanding the gravity of the situation and the impact of the formal ban on their businesses, many brands started working on addressing the problem.

 

Be inspired and motivate others to save water with these catchy slogans on water conservation.

Some brands have made a lot of progress in addressing the problem of the huge wastage of water by RO systems.

Taking the lead, Kent, the leader of the Indian water purification industry, introduced their first ‘zero water wastage’ RO purifier in December 2019.

What is Kent’s Zero Water Wastage Technology?

Most people, when they first hear about the term ‘zero water wastage’ RO, think that this technology does not produce any RO waste water.

No, that’s not true. Frankly speaking, that is just not possible because of how Reverse Osmosis (RO) technology works.

Kent’s zero water wastage technology simply provides you with an easy and automated way to reuse the RO reject water by pushing it back to the overhead tank (Pani ki tanki).

How Kent’s Zero Water Wastage Technology Works

If you have used an RO purifier before then you are already aware that all RO purifiers have a separate pipe for waste or reject water.

In most cases, this wastewater goes down the drain and is wasted.

To find a solution to this problem, Kent came up with an innovative idea.

To save the RO waste water, Kent added an additional pump in their RO purifiers.

This pump sends back the rejected water to the overhead water tank. Instead of sending the reject water down the drain, it gets mixed with water in the overhead tank. This water is reused as normal water for household purposes.

This ensures not a single drop of water is wasted.

Take a look at the image given below for a better understanding of the process.

Zero Water Wastage Process

The internal pump might seem small but it is highly powerful. It can push the wastewater to a height of up to 10 stories.

This technology might not be that practical if you are living in a multi-story apartment building, because such buildings generally have one large common tank. In most cases, for various reasons, you don’t have permission to push the RO reject water back into the tank.

However, this technology will prove very beneficial if you are living in an independent house that has its own overhead water tank.

Myths About Zero Water Wastage Technology

It will increase the TDS level of water in the overhead tank?

No, it won’t.

Depending on the size/capacity of your overhead tank and your daily drinking water requirement, the RO purifier normally uses just 3-7% of the water in your overhead tank.

This means that the RO reject water that goes back to the overhead tank is just 2-5% of the total water in the overhead tank.

The RO reject water gets mixed with overhead tank water. And since the overhead tank gets fresh water supply daily, you won’t notice any significant increase in the TDS level of the overhead tank water.

The RO reject water is much better in quality as compared to the raw water supplied to your home. This is so because the rejected water has already passed through multiple filtration stages like pre-filter, sediment filter, and pre-carbon filter. This means the rejected water is free from all the dust, mud, sand, and chlorine.

It will reduce the life and efficiency of the membrane and filters.

As we have seen above, the zero water wastage technology does not have any significant adverse impact on the quality of water in the overhead tank.

The overhead tank water gets a fresh water supply every day so there will be no negative effect on the life of the membrane and filters of the RO purifiers.

Some Zero Water Wastage RO Purifiers from Kent

  • KENT Supreme Extra
  • Kent Grand Plus
  • Kent Prime Plus

Can this Technology be Used in Existing Kent ROs?

Yes, that’s the best part. To make use of this environment-friendly technology, you don’t need to buy a new Kent RO. Kent offers an upgrade kit using which you can turn your existing RO purifier to ‘Zero Water Wastage’ RO.

Saves Water & Your Money

Bonus Tip

How to Achieve Zero Water Wastage in any RO?

You can achieve zero water wastage with all RO purifiers. You don’t necessarily have to buy a new Kent RO for that.

However, Kent’s new technology makes the process automated and a lot easier.

To achieve zero water wastage, you need to follow two easy steps.

  1. Store – Instead of sending the RO reject water down the drain, store it in a separate storage tank for other uses.      
  2. Re-use – Use this stored water for washing utensils, floor mopping, gardening, cleaning & flushing your toilet, etc. You may want to read our detailed post on reusing RO-reject water.

Gravity Based Water Purifiers

Clean Drinking water is not just a nation-specific concern but a pressing global issue today. Scientific studies have suggested that climate change has enormously impacted our environment. As a result, our water bodies and other drinking water sources are either badly hit or terribly polluted. So, we need effective water purification systems that can work constantly to give clean drinking water.

What is Gravity-Based Water Purification?

In this process of purification, water is allowed to flow from a top container to a lower container under the effect of gravity. Gravity-based water purifiers do not use electricity and are therefore sometimes called offline or non-electrical water purifiers. They typically use activated carbon or UF, which is made up of small carbon granules in order to absorb impurities from the water. The UF acts like a membrane of hollow fibers in which impurities stick.

How Do Gravity-Based Water Purifiers Work?

The gravity-based water purifiers basically consist of three filters:

Microfiber mesh or Pre-filter: This filter is attached to the uppermost tank and when water is allowed to pass through this, larger particles like sand, dust, mud, etc. get removed.

Activated carbon filter: This stage is a crucial one in which more minute particles, invisible impurities, and chemical contaminants are effectively removed. It also reduces bad odors and colors from the water. It also removes parasites and pesticides.

Polisher or Post-carbon filter: Its basic aim is to re-filter the purified water to make it crystal clear.

When to Use a Gravity-Based Water Purifier?

  • Gravity-based water purifiers are recommended for municipal tap water supply that does not have harmful heavy metals like lead and arsenic.
  • Since they do not require electricity to operate, so should be used in areas where power cuts are frequent.
  • Work without running water, are best suited for areas where running water is not available.
  • These are recommended for TDS levels of up to 500 ppm.

You may also want to check out RO+UF+UV water purifiers, RO Water Purifiers, and RO+UF water purifiers.

RO+UF Water Purifiers

Clean and safe drinking water is the basic necessity and ensuring its availability is one of the prime responsibilities of concerned authorities. However, in countries like India, providing clean and safe drinking water to every household remains a big challenge for the Government organizations even today. Polluted and unsafe water is one of the most prominent reasons for common illnesses to life-threatening diseases like Cholera, Diarrhea and Hepatitis.

he best way to fight against water-borne diseases is to drink pure and safe water. Using a RO+UF water purifier is one way you can provide advanced protection to your family.

There are plenty of options, from all the leading water purifier brands, which provide water purification using RO+UF technology.

What is RO+UF Water Purifier?

A RO+UF water purifier employs both Reverse Osmosis and Ultrafiltration methods of purification. The RO technology is responsible for removing larger particles, dissolved solids and heavy metals from the inlet water; whereas the UF technology is used to eliminate much finer and minute impurities as well as disease-causing bacteria and viruses.

How Does RO+UF Water Purifier Work?

RO technology basically uses a semi-permeable membrane in order to purify water. The Reverse Osmosis carries out a multi-stage filtration by combining particle filtration and active carbon. Since, RO membrane needs to be protected from larger particles and sediments, so a pre-filtration cartridge is used which acts as sediment filter or carbon block filter. It prevents damage to the RO membrane by stopping excess exposure to too much chlorine found in the municipal water. Then the reverse osmosis membrane is used in which a pump is used to n optimum pressure is applied and as a result, only water molecules are allowed to pass through it, while blocking the impurities.

In the second stage, Ultrafiltration technology is used which is a technique of separating remaining impurities with high molecular weight. UF is a clean and simple technology that doesn’t change the chemical properties of water and doesn’t add any odour or colour.

The UF technology uses a semi-permeable membrane whose pore size ranges from 0.005 to 0.01 micron. It can effectively filter all kinds of germs and microorganisms from the water.

The only difference between RO and UF membranes is UF technology can be used without electricity and it doesn’t completely purify dissolved salts.

When to use RO+UF Water Purifier?

  • The RO+UF water purifiers are recommended for water that has high levels of TDS up to 2000ppm.
  • For increased biological impurities like bacteria, virus, cyst etc.
  • For water supply from the municipality, bore well, and tankers.
  • For a high degree of dissolved salts, solid impurities, organic chemicals, pesticides, and heavy metals.

Also, check out RO+UF+UV water purifiers, Gravity Based Water Purifiers, and RO+MF water purifiers.

RO Water Purifiers

According to a World Bank report, “water quality in India has deteriorated as a result of an uncontrolled discharge of raw domestic and industrial waste-water”. Indian cities are lagging behind in providing reliable, sustainable, and affordable water supply. Due to these disturbing trends, people are finding RO purifiers as the best option for drinking safe water.

What is RO Purification?

Discovered by Dean Spatz, Reverse Osmosis (RO) refers to a technique that uses a semi-permeable membrane in order to remove ions, molecules, dissolved salts, and larger impurities from drinking water. There are other types of membranes for water purification also, but the RO membrane provides the most effective & reliable water purification.

How Does RO Work?

When an artificial pressure pushes water through a fine RO membrane, the impurities present in the water get filtered out. The size of the pores of the RO membrane is very, very small. These pores allow only water molecules to pass through while preventing other contaminants.

RO purification is capable of filtering out up to 99% of over 60 different contaminants including lead, arsenic, mercury, fluoride, chlorine, etc.

When to Use an RO Purifier?

  • TDS level of water is greater than 500 PPM.
  • TDS level of water is less than 500 PPM but the water contains harmful heavy metals like lead, arsenic, etc.

Useful Articles

RO+UV Water Purifiers

According to The Hindu (March 2010), “Polluted drinking water claim more lives than all forms of violence, including war”. Therefore, it is a crying need of the hour to utilize an effective purification technology in the form of RO and UV that removes harmful impurities as well as deadly germs from the water we drink.

What is RO+UV Purification?

The RO+UV water purifiers employ both RO and UV technologies that give the safest water. Reverse osmosis is used for removing ions, molecules, and larger particles from drinking water. UV purification, on the other hand, is a disinfection technique that kills or inactivates microorganisms.

Top Selling RO+UV Water Purifiers in India

How does (RO+UV) work?

Reverse osmosis is the process that utilizes a semi permeable membrane, which allows pure water to pass through it, while stopping contaminants and impurities on one side. RO purification system is immensely helpful in removing all dissolved solids and bacteria.

Some of the RO systems use a process called Cross Flow, which helps the semi-permeable membrane to continuously clean itself. RO purification requires the application of pressure that pushes the fluid through the membrane. A residential RO water purification system uses an average pressure of 40psi. After RO purification, the water is allowed to go through UV system, which uses high frequency ultraviolet light to irradiate water through a glass element. Now, when the water is passed through the glass element, it becomes exposed to UV light. As a result, all bacteria and microorganisms get killed.

When to use RO+UV water purifiers?

The most important factor to consider before choosing an RO+UV water purifier is the water quality that is coming to our homes. If the water has large quantities of germs, chemicals, pesticides, fertilizers, herbicides, and heavy metals, then RO+UV water purifiers should be used.

The next factor to consider is TDS level. If the level of total dissolved solids in your water supply is 400-1500ppm, then RO+UV purifiers are recommended.

Usually, in India the borewell water contains TDS level of 300-500ppm, so these water purifiers might as well be used in those households that drink borewell water. RO+UV is the best combination of techniques utilized for water purification. Although, all the RO+UV systems run on electricity, but a high storage capacity allows them to store purified water in case of electricity outages.

Check out some top RO+UV water purifiers from brands like LivPure, HUL, and Nasaka.

How to Check TDS Level & Ideal TDS for Drinking Water

Have you been hearing a lot about the TDS level in drinking water?

You must have.

Because that is what all the water purifier companies are talking about. That is one measure even consumers are talking about the most.

But, what exactly is this “TDS” and what is the ideal TDS for drinking water?

If you have no clue about what is the meaning of TDS in water, then you must read this post.

This post will provide you with all the details about

  • What is the TDS level in water?
  • How you can measure the TDS level?
  • What is the ideal TDS level of drinking water?

TDS of Water Full Form

The full form of TDS in drinking water is “Total Dissolved Solids”.

What is TDS Level?

TDS level of water is the measure of all inorganic and organic substances that are dissolved in water.

The most common inorganic substances that are found in water are magnesium, calcium, and potassium.

To a certain degree, the presence of these minerals in the water is actually healthy, but when the level becomes too much, it is a cause of worry.

Most common constituents of TDS levels, like calcium, magnesium, etc., are generally harmless. But heavy metals like lead, mercury, arsenic, and fluoride can be really dangerous for your health.

Why Do You Need to Check TDS Level?

A study conducted by IIT Kharagpur revealed that almost 20% of India’s total land area has toxic levels of arsenic in its groundwater.

A significant number of Indians are drinking toxic water.

This is also evident from the data released by Ministry of Jal Shakti in the reply to a question asked in Rajya Sabha on 1st August, 2022. It was revealed that:

  • Arsenic was found in around 209 districts in 25 states and UTs
  • Uranium was found in parts of 152 districts across 18 states
  • Lead found in parts of 176 districts in 21 states.
  • Iron found in parts of 491 districts in 29 states and UTs
  • Cadmium in parts of 29 districts in 11 states
  • Chromium in parts of 62 districts in 16 states

Although TDS level does not tell you anything about the presence or absence of any of the contaminants that make up the TDS level.

But it definitely gives you an initial idea of the overall quality of your drinking water.

And the best part is measuring TDS level is very easy, as you’ll see below. So, there are no excuses to not know the TDS level of the water your family drinks.

A high TDS level (above 500 mg/l) indicates that the water quality is not good and you should not drink such water without purification.

It is important to note here that while the TDS level of water provides you with a quick idea of water quality, it is not the final benchmark of water quality.

Apart from the TDS level, there are around 50 other individual contaminants.

A thorough investigation of drinking water quality is only possible at a drinking water testing lab.

What is the Ideal TDS Level of Drinking Water?

World Health Organization (WHO) report on TDS in drinking water points out that reliable data on possible health effects associated with TDS in drinking water is not available.

Useful Link

Planning to buy a new water purifier? You may also want to check out our detailed water purifier buying guide or the top list of best water purifiers in India.

No health-based guideline value is proposed for the ideal TDS of drinking water. Because TDS in water can be high because of many factors, in areas where the TDS content of the water supply is very high, the individual constituents should be identified.

The presence of dissolved solids in water may affect its taste. The palatability (acceptable taste) of drinking water has been rated by panels of tasters in relation to its TDS level as follows:

TDS Level (mg/l) Rating
Less than 300 Excellent
300-600 Good
600-900 Fair
900-1200 Poor
Above 1200 Unacceptable
WHO Standards for TDS of Drinking Water According to Taste

What is the maximum TDS level advised by the Indian Authorities?

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has set the acceptable limit of TDS in drinking water at 500 mg/L.

 

PPM (Parts Per Million) and mg/L are one and the same thing. You can use them interchangeably for TDS level measurement.

However, the standard also mentions that in case no alternative source of drinking water is available, then this acceptable limit can be relaxed to 2,000 mg/L.

The BIS water quality standards also mention that if the drinking water TDS is higher than 500 mg/L then this may result in a decrease in palatability (acceptable taste) and may cause gastrointestinal irritation.

Whether you get your water from a borewell, water tanker, or municipal tap, you must make sure that it meets the BIS water quality standards. If your drinking water’s TDS level exceeds 500 mg/L, we suggest that you do not drink that water.

Important Note

This acceptable TDS limit applies to only normal freshwater, if the water contains toxic impurities like arsenic or fluoride then other special BIS standards will be applicable.

Minimum TDS Level for Drinking Water

It is important to note that some of the dissolved minerals in water are useful for human health and therefore very low or zero TDS is also not recommended.

Reducing the TDS level to a very low value also affects the pH level of the water, which BIS specifies should be in the range of 6.5-8.5. Water with very low TDS will taste dull.

There is no official minimum TDS level for drinking water, but a TDS of at least 50-150 ppm is the accepted minimum level.

TDS Level (mg/l) Reasons for Acceptability/Non-acceptance
Less than 50 Not acceptable. Because water with such a low TDS level does not contain the essential minerals.
50-150 Acceptable. However, the TDS level in the range of 80-150 is considered ideal. If you are using an RO water purifier then make sure the TDS level of purified water is not below 80 mg/L.
150-250 Acceptable. This is the ideal TDS range as far as cardiovascular fitness is considered.
250-350 Acceptable. Most urban Indian homes have access to water in this TDS range.
350-500 Acceptable. As per the BIS guidelines, a TDS level below 500 mg/L is acceptable.
500-900 Not acceptable. Use a RO water purifier with a TDS controller or mineralizer.
900-1200 Not acceptable. Use a RO water purifier with a TDS controller or mineralizer.
1200-2000 Not acceptable and not fit for drinking. Choose a RO water purifier that can purify water with up to 2000 mg/L.
Above 2000 Do not drink. Most home water purifiers can’t purify water with a TDS level over 2000 mg/L.

Check out the following link if you would like to learn more about how Total Dissolved Solids come in water and what is the effect of low or high TDS on your health.

How to Check the TDS Level in Water at Home?

There are a number of methods by which you can measure the TDS level in the water. We have compiled some of the most common methods that you can use at your home to know whether or not you are drinking safe water.

Method 1: Using Digital TDS Meter

This is a state-of-the-art digital TDS meter tester that you can use to check the performance of your water filter, test the quality of filter water, check for hardness and make sure that you are drinking clean water.

 

Digital TDS Meter

Digital TDS meters are widely available in all the leading online stores in India and you can easily buy a quality Digital TDS Meter from Amazon.in for a few hundred rupees.

Using a digital TDS meter to measure the TDS level of water

Follow the given steps to measure the TDS Level of water using a digital TDS Meter:

  • Remove the protective cap.
  • Turn the TDS meter on. You will find the ON/OFF switch is on the panel.
  • Immerse the meter into the water up to the maximum immersion level (2 inches).
  • Gently stir the meter to dislodge any air bubbles.
  • Wait till the reading stabilizes (approximately, 10 seconds).
  • Press the HOLD button and take it out of the water to view the reading.
  • If the meter displays the ‘x10’ symbol, it means that you have to multiply the reading by 10.
  • After use, shake off the excess water from your meter and replace the cap.

Watch this video on how to measure the TDS level in drinking water.

Video: Step-By-Step Guide on Measuring TDS Level Using a TDS Meter

Precaution:

  1. Do not dip the meter beyond 2 inches because the meter is not watertight.
  2. Do not store the meter in places of high temperature or where direct sunlight comes.

Method 2: Using Filter Paper and a Scale

This is a conventional method that you can easily use in your home to measure the level of TDS in your drinking water. For this, you do not need any TDS meter, but very simple everyday things.

What are the things that you need?

  • A sterilized beaker.
  • A sample of water (tap water or rainwater) in the beaker.
  • Filter paper.
  • An evaporating dish.

  • A stirring stick.
  • A pipette that is large enough to collect a water sample of 50ml.

  • A scale to measure.

Now, follow the instructions:

Step 1 – Weigh the evaporating dish in milligrams and make sure that the dish is completely empty, and free from any kind of particles. Note this measurement as “A” and come back to it after all the steps have been completed.

Step 2 – Take the stirring stick and vigorously stir the sample of water in the sterilized beaker. You need to agitate the liquid so that the particulate matter present in the beaker gets evenly distributed.

Step 3 – Take the pipette and collect 50ml of the stirred water. Please note that even while collecting the water, you have to continue stirring the liquid.

Step 4 – Extract water from the pipette and pass it on to the filter paper 3 times. There will be some sediment left behind in the filter paper.

Step 5 – If you see any particles in the filter paper, transfer them to the evaporating dish.

Step 6 – Wait for the filtrate (particles) to completely dry.

Step 7 – Once the filtrate on the evaporating dish is dry, weigh the evaporating dish again (with the filtrate) and call it “B”.

Step 8 – Measure the TDS level by subtracting B from A.

To check TDS level, use the formula: TDS = [(A-B)*1000]/ml

In this formula, A stands for the weight of the evaporating dish + filtrate, and B stands for the weight of the evaporating dish. Since 50ml was the quantity that you took in the pipette, the value of “ml” in this case is going to be 50. The final value of the dissolved solid is going to be measured in mg/L.

Precaution:

  1. Carefully weigh the evaporating dish and also, the weight of the evaporating dish with the filtrate.
  2. Wait for the filtrate or particles to completely dry before proceeding.

Most people often confuse the TDS level with water hardness. High TDS levels do not always mean that the water is hard. If you want to find out the hardness level of water then you should perform a water hardness test.

TDS Level in Drinking Water – FAQs

Does a high TDS level always mean the water is unfit for consumption?

Always remember that a high TDS does not always necessarily mean that the water is unsafe for consumption. Sometimes it means that it may be a bit odd in terms of taste, color, or smell. Ideally, the TDS for drinking water should be below 300 mg/liter and the maximum limit that is considered safe is 500 mg/liter.

If you are eager to find out how good or bad your drinking water is, then you should get your drinking water tested.

How do you reduce the TDS level in drinking water?

Water purifiers that come with reverse osmosis (RO) technology are a great solution to reduce high TDS levels in the water. These purifiers are built with cutting-edge technology to ensure that the TDs levels in water are reduced and that the water is safe for drinking. If you are planning to buy one, then you can check the latest range of RO water purifiers.

With the help of a TDS meter, you can even check the longevity and functionality of the RO membrane and replace it, if need be.

Share this information with your friends and family to equip them with the knowledge needed for checking the TDS level in drinking water. If you know of any other way to measure TDS levels, please feel free to comment.

Livpure Water Purifiers

Livpure has become a leading brand in the water purifier industry in a very short period.

Livpure, a part of SAR Group, is a company that is well known for its quality appliances like water purifiers and air purifiers. Livpure offers water purification solutions for both home and commercial use.

Livpure now offers a complete range of water purifiers starting from basic gravity-based water purifiers to high-end multi-stage RO water purifiers with advanced features like touch control and Bluetooth.

Good features, quality purification, great prices, and reliable installation and service support are the main reasons why Livpure has become a trusted name in the water purifier market.

Livpure is also among the best-selling water purifier brands on all the leading online stores like Amazon and Flipkart.

Livpure is the first leading brand of water purifiers to offer RO on rent through its Livpure Smart RO Subscription service.

Here is the best-selling Livpure water purifier price list updated on: October 17th, 2025.

Why Choose Livpure RO Purifiers?

There are various models and different price ranges of Livpure water purifiers in the Indian market.

Livpure’s advanced purification mechanism ensures that dirt, parasites, bacteria, viruses, dissolved solids, and other harmful substances are effectively removed from the water.

Livpure has a wide range of purifiers to match the varying water purification needs of Indian customers. If you are looking for a portable non-electric water purifier then you can choose from Livpure’s gravity-based water purifiers and if you are looking for advanced purification then Livpure’s range of UV and RO purifiers is all you need.

Unique Features of Livpure Water Purifiers

  • Attractive and affordable prices
  • Advanced & reliable purification
  • Clean and intelligent design
  • Huge nationwide sales & support system
  • Full range of water purifiers
  • Customer-friendly and reliable service support

Livpure Customer Services

Livpure has a country-wide presence with more than 10000 retail partners and 300 distributors. Livpure is also exporting its world-class water purifiers to over 15 countries across the globe. Livpure offers strong nationwide support with its 46 special hubs, 1450 service centers, and over 450 service engineers across the country.

Livpure’s on-ground customer support is really good and has been appreciated by customers.

Livpure Customer Care Number

Make a call on the Toll-Free customer service number – 1800 – 419 – 9399

Write an e-mail to customer care support – customercare@livpure.com

Aquaguard Water Purifiers

Aquaguard is one of the oldest and most popular water purifier brands in India.

Aquaguard is the flagship water purifier brand of Eureka Forbes and has around 36 years of research and understanding of Indian water conditions and the best water purification technologies.

Aquaguard water purifiers are manufactured in ISO 9001 and 14001 certified manufacturing plants. Aquaguard is also one of the few water purifier brands that have 18 water labs that constantly test the water samples across the country.

Not all types of water can be purified using any one technology and therefore Aquaguard has developed around 21 different water purification technologies to address 21 different water conditions.

Aquaguard water purifiers are tested and certified by over 135 laboratories across the globe and are also endorsed by Indian Medical Association.

The brand has won several prestigious awards including the Golden Peacock Award, UNESCO Water Digest Awards, RED Dot Design Awards, and several others.

Here, you can check and compare Aquaguard water purifiers, their reviews, features, and prices in India.

Here is the best-selling Aquaguard RO water purifier price list that was last updated on: October 17th, 2025.

Eureka Forbes offers four distinct ranges of water purifiers under the brand name Aquaguard, Dr. Aquaguard, AquaSure, and AquaSoft.

Aquaguard offers UV, UV+UF, RO, and RO+UV water purifiers in the mid-price range. Aquaguard offers on-the-go water purification products that start from as low as Rs. 595 to fully-packed water purifiers prices as high as Rs. 35,000.

Dr. Aquaguard is a premium range of water purifiers equipped with Universal, RO, and UV technology, Mineral Guard, and Biotron cartridges. Dr. Aquaguard RO water purifiers feature ultramodern designs and bold colors that make them look very attractive.

Why Should You Buy Aquaguard RO Purifier?

When you buy any water purifier from Aquaguard or Dr. Aquaguard you can be sure of two most important things, product quality and impeccable after-sales service.

We always recommend buying water purifiers from brands that have reliable customer support and after-sales service and Aquaguard is definitely one such brand.

Aquaguard RO water purifiers come with various other smart features like intel e-boiling, a taste enhancer, and Electronic membrane life enhancer. The TDS regulator and Mineral Guard feature help in retaining essential minerals in the purified water.

Aquaguard Customer Care Numbers

Aquaguard has the largest sales and service network with a presence in more than 36 countries and across 800 towns in India.

Aquaguard has the largest service network in India and you can find an authorized service center every 5 km. The brand also operates multiple call centers for quick response.

If you want to raise any complaint or service request you can call Aquaguard customer care toll-free number: 1860 266 1177.

You can also write an e-mail to Eureka Forbes Aquaguard at the below-given e-mail ids:
Online Sales: onlineshopping@eurekaforbes.com
Service: deepa.customercare@eurekaforbes.com

 

RO vs UV vs UF vs MF

Planning to buy a new water purifier for your home? Confused between all the technical terms?

You are not alone.

Most brands suffer from ‘I am the best’ syndrome and they focus more on marketing than providing actionable information.

This has given birth to all the confusion that you have in your mind right now.

Now that you have done all the hard work of landing on this page, let us do the rest.

This post will explain the difference between RO, UV, UF and MF in simple terms.

Choosing the right water purifier for your home is extremely important in order to ensure good health. And the first step in choosing the right purifier is understanding the quality of water and selecting the suitable water purification technology.

We’ve already covered a detailed guide on how to choose the right water purifier for your home.

In this previous post, we’ve covered detailed information on identifying commonly found impurities in water and mapping the right water purification technologies according to the water quality.

This post will try to explain all the common water purification technologies like RO (Reverse Osmosis, UV (Ultraviolet), UF (Ultra Filtration) and MF (Micro Filtration), and the difference between them.

Knowing the difference between the RO, UV, UF and MF water purification technologies will further help you in choosing the best water purifier that is most suitable for your home or office.

Another popular terminology used with water purifiers is TDS, you can learn all about the TDS level of water in our previous post.

What is the Full Form of RO UV UF and MF

  • RO Full Form – Reverse Osmosis
  • UV Full Form – Ultraviolet
  • UF Full Form – Ultra Filtration
  • MF Full Form – Micro Filtration

 

RO vs UV vs UF vs MF – Difference Between the Main Water Purification Technologies

 

RO Purification UV Purification UF Purification MF Purification
Needs electricity for purification Needs electricity for purification Does not need electricity Does not need electricity
Filters out all the Bacteria and Viruses from the Water Kills all bacteria and viruses but their dead bodies remain in the water Filters out all the Bacteria and Viruses from the Water Filters out only bacteria
Requires high water pressure. Therefore an extra water pump is used in all RO purifiers Works with Normal Tap Water Pressure Works with Normal Tap Water Pressure Works with Normal Tap Water Pressure
Removes dissolved salts and harmful metals Cannot remove dissolved salts harmful metals Cannot remove dissolved salts harmful metals Cannot remove dissolved salts harmful metals
Filters out all the suspended and visible impurities like mud, rust, dirt, sand etc. No filtering Filters out all the suspended and visible impurities like mud, rust, dirt, sand etc. Filters out all the suspended and visible impurities like mud, rust, dirt, sand etc.
Size of membrane: 0.0001 Micron No membrane Size of membrane: 0.01 Micron Size of membrane: 0.1 Micron
90% TDS reduction 0% TDS reduction 0% TDS reduction 0% TDS reduction
Wastes a lot of water No wastage of water No wastage of water No wastage of water

 

The below image visually depicts the filtration/purification characteristics and capabilities of MF, UF and RO membrane.

Looking at the image above, one would naturally think, if RO alone can remove all impurities then what is the need of other purification methods like UV, UF and MF?

We will get to this in a second.

If you look at the comparison of purification technologies above, none of the UV, UF, MF offer complete protection against all commonly found impurities. So, it is quite clear that none of these three purification technologies can alone provide trustworthy purification.

Now, coming back to the RO purification.

The pores of the RO membrane are extremely small (0.0001 micron) and RO membrane is prone to damage and choking if appropriate pre-filtration is not used. This is why you see most RO purifiers using 2-4 pre-filters like pre-sediment filter, sediment filter, Pre Carbon Filter etc.

RO water purifiers also need appropriate post-treatment like UV column, post-carbon filter and mineralizer etc. All these post RO filtrations and water treatment are usually added to be 100% sure of the purification and to remove any organic and inorganic impurities still left in the water. RO membrane can also change the taste of water and make it taste bitter and unnatural. Because of this post-RO activated carbon filter, taste enhancer or mineralizer cartridges are used.

Know the Best Time to Change RO Membrane.

So what we are trying to bring out here is, for reliable purification and pure water what is needed is a combination of multiple purification technologies.

We would not like to unnecessarily stretch this post long and would like to end with our final thoughts with this.

Final Thoughts

It is not advisable to rely on any single purification technology as every purification technology has its pros and cons. What is needed is a multi-stage purification approach that uses multiple purification methods.

That is why we recommend water purifiers which feature a combination of RO, UV, UF with TDS controller/modulator or Mineralizer. These water purifiers are suitable for most Indian homes.

Hope you found this detailed explanation, of difference Between RO, UV, UF and MF water purifiers, useful.

If you still have any queries or would need some more information then please post them in the comments section below, and we’ll be happy to answer 🙂