Permissible range of TDS in ...

Permissible range of TDS in water

Dear Grace,

The proper amount of minerals in water is indeed beeing regarded and discussed controversially. Depending on who wants to sell what, the recommendend TDS-values (measured in µS) differ from "close to zero" to "1000 to 3000 is fine". People and companies selling reverse osmosis or destilling technology usually belong to the first, organizations delivering tap or mineral water align among the second group. 

Who to believe? Like always, there is scientific proof for either side. From "only desalinated water can save your life" to "minerals in water are essential and may not be removed" anything can be scientifically proven and be argumented eloquently. But there does definitely not exist any study obeying scientifical standards that could prove a direct relation between TDS-value and any dieseases or death rate. And it is clear why: the TDS-value as such doesnot say which substances are in the water. Water may contain many harmless dissolved solids resulting in a high TDS-value but still beeing healthy water or it may contain little amounts of toxic substances resulting in a low TDS-value but causing severe problems to your health. Thats why in order to define the water quality the least thing necessary is a full analysis of several dozens of substances. But even then you will not get more than a 99% chance of knowing the risks. Even worse, there are many other factors not beeing measured by a chemical analysis.    One thing might be quite interesting for you: Except for the meanwhile rather old-fashioned but still frequently quoted Drs Paul + Patricia Bragg and Dr. Norman Walker whose typical US-American eyes can only see black and white, many scientists and researchers usually (ab)used to underline only one opinion were not absolutely clear in their statemants or changed their opinion when learning new facts about water. Many of them even pointed out, that concerning water quality there are many more factors that we should take into consideration - some we may not even be able to measure. Many researchers in the field of water expressed their astonishment about the complexity of the subject and the humbleness of our knowledge. Many scientists conclude that the less we treat the water with technology the healthier it is for plants, animals and humans.    Examplpes may be Louis-Claude Vincent, commonly quoted to stress the need of treating water with lots of technical equipment like ionizers or alkalizers. He often mentioned that well-water is best and that even flowing in rivers or creeks mostly has harmful effects on water. Another example would be Linus Pauling not beeing ashamed of saying that water in the higher regions of our atmosphere takes up "galactic forces" resulting in never seen physical properties. Or Felix Franks after writing thousands of pages full of head-bursting scientific stuff not understood by more than a dozend scientists around the world confessing frankly that in fact we donot really know much about water and maybe never will.   It may help you to think about the fact that there are natural fountains having beeing cherished as healing fountains for thousands of years by millions of people showing TDS-values of over 2000 and even containing toxic substances like radon or arsenic in amounts a dozen times higher than any tap water would ever be allowed to contain. But nonethelesss everybody is convinced, that their water is pure medicine. So a learned advice from a declared  ex-scientist: Donot care to much about physics and chemistry and learn more to trust your feelings about water.    But if you had trusted your feelings you would not to have asked your question. So I will try to give you a few facts: In the "highly developped" countries in middle or northern Europe TDS-values of under 200 are rarely found in tap water. Most of them are situated between 200 and 700. And 99 % of the population do not care about the TDS-value of their water nor do they waste a thought about reduceing it.   Here my practical advice: With a TDS-value of 400 you are swimming right in the middle. If the TDS-value is not alarmingly high - lets say 1000 or higher - less technology and more nature is always better - and cheaper. Investing in expensive and not environment friendly technology like reverse osmosis or distilling should only be undertaken if the water is extremely "hard", salty or tasting bad. But even then simple and cheap charcoal filters can work fine in most applications. If you absolutely feel the need to reduce the TDS-value think of solar technology using Mother Natures energy to distill water and consider the necessity of really treating 100 % of the water. It may be sufficient - and healthier - to reduce for instance the TDS-value to 200 by mixing the tap water half and half with desalinated water. In any case I would definitely not advise you to do full desalination.    I hope that I could help you.   Best regards - and don't panic!   Alex