How much TDS(Total Dissovled Solid) in ppm (parts per million) for water is safe to drink?

Question

How much TDS(Total Dissovled Solid) in ppm (parts per million) for water is safe to drink?

Answer 1

That depends mostly on what the composition of the TDS is.  If its salt or sugar, there are no health hazards by drinking reasonable amounts. It also depends on the total volume of water consumed, and the period of time the water is consumed for.

Water is a good solvent and picks up impurities very easily.  Solubility increases with temperature.  Pure water contains 0 ppm TDS and therefore is tasteless, colorless, and odorless.   Dissolved solids refer to any minerals, salts, metals, cations or anions dissolved in water and which could affect the color, taste, odor and toxicity of the drinking water.

The US EPA provides the following list of acceptable contaminants in drinking water:

http://www.water-research.net/standards....

1 ppm = 1 mg/l if both have a SG of 1.

Some contaminants are highly toxic (such as benzene and radium) and therefore the EPA recommends a level of "zero" but this has analytical limitations. Other contaminants which could be in TDS are not as toxic ( such as fluoride or nitrate) and therefore are limited to a few ppm.