If you’ve ever noticed white spots on your clean dishes, dry skin after showering, dull laundry, or a metallic taste in your drinking water, Total Dissolved Solids, or TDS, could be the cause. Let’s break down what TDS actually means, why it matters, and how understanding it can help you make informed decisions about your home’s water quality.

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What Is TDS?

Total Dissolved Solids refers to the combined amount of dissolved substances present in water. These substances can include calcium, magnesium, iron, and other minerals. These compounds dissolve into your water supply as it moves through soil, rock, and plumbing systems. TDS is measured in parts per million (ppm), and the higher the number, the more dissolved solids are present in the water.

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What Should Your TDS Level Be?

Water quality TDS levels can vary depending on your city and water source, municipal vs. well water.
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0–50 ppm: Low Mineral Content
50–150 ppm: Ideal for Drinking Water
150–300 ppm: Moderate Mineral Content
300+ ppm: High Mineral Content
500+ ppm: Unsuitable for Drinking without Treatment

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Why TDS Matters

Even if your water meets basic safety standards, high TDS can still impact your home and daily life. Elevated TDS levels can affect the taste and odor of your water, leaving it metallic, salty or bitter. Over time, dissolved minerals can reduce appliance efficiency, forcing water heaters and other appliances to work harder and increasing energy costs. Additionally, scale buildup inside plumbing can restrict water flow and contribute to long-term pipe damage.

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Halcyon Water Treatment Can Help

Every water solution starts with understanding what’s in your water. That’s why our water expert’s first step is a free in-home water consultation and water analysis. During this process, we test and evaluate your water to measure TDS levels, identify hardness minerals like calcium and magnesium, detect potential contaminants, and determine how your water may be affecting your home. Our team will then recommend a water solution tailored to your specific water chemistry. This may include installing a water softener to reduce hardness minerals, a reverse osmosis system to lower TDS levels, or a whole-home filtration system designed to target specific contaminants. The right system isn’t one-size-fits-all; it’s based entirely on your home’s unique water, ensuring you get the most effective solution for better water throughout your home.

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Get Started and Schedule Your Free In-Home Water Consultation Today!

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