If you have ever seen someone dip a small pen-shaped meter into a glass of water and announce a number, you have met TDS. It is a handy figure, but it is easy to misread.
What TDS actually is
TDS stands for total dissolved solids. It is the combined amount of minerals, salts and other substances dissolved in water, measured in milligrams per litre (mg/L) or parts per million (ppm). Calcium, magnesium, sodium, chlorides and bicarbonates all add to it.
What TDS does not tell you
A TDS meter cannot tell you whether the water contains bacteria, pesticides or specific harmful chemicals. A low number does not prove the water is safe, and a high number does not prove it is dangerous. It is a quick indicator of how much is dissolved, nothing more.
Reference ranges
Indian drinking water standards treat up to about 500 mg/L as acceptable, and allow a higher limit only where no better source exists. Many people find water between roughly 50 and 300 mg/L pleasant. Above 500 the taste turns noticeably salty or bitter, and appliances scale up faster.
Why Jaipur water often reads high
In many parts of Jaipur, borewell water comes in well above 500 mg/L. That is one of the main reasons households and suppliers use reverse osmosis. You can read more in our article on why Jaipur groundwater tastes the way it does.
Is very low TDS better?
Not necessarily. RO removes almost all dissolved minerals, which can leave the water tasting flat. Most of the minerals we need come from food rather than from water, so low-TDS water is not harmful for most people. Still, many suppliers, including us, adjust the mineral balance after RO so the water tastes natural.
How to use a TDS meter sensibly
- Rinse the probe in clean water before testing.
- Test at room temperature, since readings shift with heat.
- Compare readings over time instead of fixating on one number.
- Combine the number with taste, smell and the supplier's testing routine.
We check TDS and pH on every batch before dispatch, and we are glad to talk through it if you have questions.