Is 20 TDs RO Water Good to Drink?

Reverse Osmosis (RO) Water with a TDS of 20 mg/L is Generally Considered Safe for Drinking

Water with a Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) level of 20 mg/L in Reverse Osmosis (RO) water is deemed very low, making it typically safe and hygienic for consumption. This level falls within the safe drinking water standards set by organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO).

TDS Levels and Safety

Water with a TDS level less than 300 mg/L is generally considered safe for drinking, with levels between 0-50 mg/L often ideal for both taste and health. However, while RO water with a TDS of 20 mg/L is typically safe, it is important to consider the potential health implications of extremely low TDS.

Health Implications of Low TDS

Low TDS in water indicates that contaminants and impurities have been effectively removed, which is beneficial. However, very low TDS can sometimes mean that essential minerals are also removed. If consumed exclusively over a long period, this can affect taste and health, although this is rare in typical RO water usage.

Impact on Taste and Aesthetics

Water with a very low TDS level, such as 20 mg/L, may have a flat taste for some people. To improve the taste, you can add a small amount of minerals or salt, provided it is appropriate for your health. However, it is important to ensure that you are still ingesting essential minerals through your diet or other sources.

Personal Testimonies and Examples

There are personal testaments from individuals who consume low TDS water regularly and maintain excellent health. For instance, the author of a blog has been drinking RO water with 0-2 PPM (parts per million) distilled water for 30 years and remains very healthy. Their 76-year-old mother also drinks the same water and remains in good health. This suggests that 20 PPM Reverse Osmosis water is perfectly fine for regular consumption.

Understanding Parts Per Million (PPM) and TDS

A TDS meter is used to determine the amount of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) in water, measured in Parts Per Million (PPM). The TDS level in tap water can vary significantly. For instance, in some areas, it may range from 250 PPM to 500 PPM, which is the highest limit set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for drinking water. These levels are reduced to about 20-25 PPM after RO filtration, and the membrane is changed when the level reaches 50-60 PPM.

More Details on PPM and TDS

PPM is a concentration measurement that represents the parts of a substance per million parts of a solution. Therefore, 1 PPM is equivalent to 1 milligram of something per liter of water (mg/L).

There are two types of PPMs in water: suspended solids PPM and dissolved solids PPM. Suspended solids are typically addressed by pre-filters, but the measurement we usually check for water quality is the PPM count of dissolved solids. Each element in water has its own PPM level, and the combined count of these elements constitutes the Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) of the water.

TDS levels up to 500 PPM are considered good for consumption, while levels below 100 PPM are considered demineralized and potentially corrosive according to the WHO. On the other hand, water above 500 PPM is highly saturated, known as hard water, which can lead to the formation of limescale and hard crusty white build-ups, including on glass and metallic surfaces. Conversely, water below 100 PPM is under-saturated and can cause corrosion, essentially 'eating up' materials it comes into contact with.

Conclusion

In summary, RO water with a TDS level of 20 mg/L is generally safe and good for drinking. However, it is important to ensure that you are ingesting essential minerals through your diet or other sources. Personal testimonies suggest that drinking RO water with a TDS of 20 mg/L is perfectly fine, and it is indeed an improvement over the typically high TDS levels found in tap water.

Understanding the concept of PPM and TDS is crucial for ensuring the quality and safety of the water you drink. By monitoring these levels, you can make informed decisions about the water you consume and maintain good health.