Elevated total dissolved solids can result in your water having a bitter or salty taste; in incrustations, films or precipitates on fixtures; corrosion of fixtures; and reduced efficiency of water filters.

Acceptable results: There is no primary drinking water standard for total dissolved solids, but the secondary standard (based on taste, odor, color, corrosivity, foaming, and staining properties) for TDS is 500 mg/L.

Sources: TDS in drinking water originate from natural sources, sewage, urban run-off, industrial wastewater, chemicals used in the water treatment process and the nature of the piping or hardware used to convey the water,.(i.e., the plumbing).  Other sources may include: salts used for road de-icing, anti-skid materials, drinking water treatment chemicals, storm water and agricultural run-off, and point/non-point wastewater discharges.

Recommended testing: Annually or when symptoms are present.