Are Total Dissolved Solids a Problem?
Total Dissolved Solids are classified as a secondary contaminant by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and a suggested maximum is 500 ppm. Concerns with secondary standards relate to aesthetic or cosmetic quality of the water rather than health concerns. TDS can give water a murky appearance and detract from the taste quality of the water. Gastrointestinal irritation in some individuals can be caused by high TDS levels. TDS can also interfere with treatment devices and is an important consideration when choosing a treatment system. What is Hard Water? Water is considered hard when it has a relatively high concentration of calcium and magnesium ions (two of the salts which make up TDS). Hard water received this name because it requires more soap to get a good lather and makes the water “hard” to work with. Water hardness can be reported in milligrams per liter, parts per million (which is equivalent to milligrams per liter), or grains of hardness. One grain of hardness is equal t
