Water Quality Field Guide

Total Dissolved Solids

What are total dissolved solids?
Total dissolved solids (TDS) are the mineral and salt impurities dissolved in water and are
measured in parts per million. Small organic solids (micromolecules) can also be a part of
measurable TDS, but sugar, alcohol, pesticides, and large organic solids (macromolecules) are
not included as total dissolved solids because they do not conduct a current.1 TDS can affect the
way drinking water appears, but toxic levels depend on the species of animals in or using the
water. TDS is used as an indicator for chemical contaminants, and to map water movement in
underground systems, or to build runoff models or basin drainage models.
Total dissolved solids consist of nutrient runoff from storm drains or road salts, and some organic
compounds. Sources of TDS include agricultural runoff, residential runoff, and industrial
point-source pollution. Micromolecules are constantly leached from soils and end up in the water
supply. If the micromolecules are smaller than 2 micrometers and are water soluble, they are
classified as dissolved solids. If they are larger than 2 micrometers and stay suspended in the
water column, they are called suspended solids.
Determining TDS
Total dissolved solids can be determined in a number of ways, some more precise than others.
With the gravimetric method, a sample of water is boiled until all liquid is evaporated, leaving a
residue on the bottom of the beaker. The mass of the residue is then weighed using an analytical
balance. This method, however, takes a great deal of time and has its own measure of error.
If there are ions present, a second ballpark method exists that uses the electrical conductivity
reading of a sample to estimate the total dissolved solids. The conductivity reading of the sample
is multiplied by a conversion factor that is based on the type of dissolved solids in the water. The
conversion factor can vary between 0.40 and 0.96; a value of 0.65 is used as an approximation if
the dissolved solids are not known.
TDS (ppm) = Conductivity (S/cm) conversion factor

Unlike the salinity portion of the Salinity Sensor,

the conductivity reading takes into account every
ionic compound dissolved into a sample, not just the
ionic compounds associated with sea water, and has
built-in temperature compensation. A conductivity
measurement (in units of S/cm) taken at 25 C can
be quickly converted to a good estimate of TDS in
natural waters (in units of parts per million, ppm)
by multiplying it by the conversion factor.

Conversion factors
Type of
Water

Total
Dissolved
Solids (ppm)

Conversion
Factor

Freshwater

0 2,200

0.7

2,200 8,300

0.6

> 8,300

0.5

Brackish
water
Saline water

Why determine total dissolved solids

values?
Measuring conductivity is a quick and easy way to estimate the amount of total dissolved solids
(TDS) in natural waters, since most of these solids dissolve to form ions. TDS calculations are
important when determining appropriate uses for water. Determination of the conductivity (and
thus of the approximate concentration of TDS) gives information about the water quality as it
relates to certain designated uses, such as for drinking water and for agricultural irrigation. The
amount of mineral and salt impurities in water can affect the amount of salt build-up in
agricultural land, the corrosion of pipes, and the toxicity of drinking water.
Calculating TDS can also be a useful tool for monitoring the inflow of saline water in estuaries
and identifying sources of pollution, such as mining or industrial waste or agricultural runoff.

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Total Dissolved Solids

Total dissolved solids is therefore a parameter considered in water quality indexes (refer to the
section on Water Quality Index).
What factors affect total dissolved solids values?
Like salinity and conductivity, TDS is determined by the concentration of ions in solution and
the mobility of those ions. Temperature, evaporation, ice formation, and many of the other
factors contributing to salinity fluctuations also affect total dissolved solids. Agricultural runoff,
pollution, nutrient runoff, and a number of other sources associated with human activity also
account for higher TDS concentrations.
Of all of these influences, the temperature of the water affects conductivity, and thus the
measurement of total dissolved solids, the most. Increased temperatures cause ions to move more
quickly; the probe reads this increase in activity as a higher concentration of ions. Conductivity
measurements should be taken at 25 C or a temperature compensation factor must be applied to
the measurement. The conductivity reading of pure water can rise as much as 4.55% for every
1 C deviation from 25 C, while the reading of NaCl solutions rises 2.12%.1
The Conductivity Sensor has a built-in calculation to compensate for the change in conductivity
due to temperature changes. If the Salinity Sensor is used, the compensation factor must be
applied to the measurement.
What are desirable levels of total dissolved solids?
TDS is most important to water quality when it concerns designated uses and has been listed by
the EPA as a secondary ground water and drinking water contaminant. Secondary contaminants
cause aesthetic, technical, and cosmetic effects. Water high in total dissolved solids may have an
unpleasant taste, odor, or color and may also have a laxative effect beyond the tolerance level.
High levels of TDS will also cause corrosion and mineral deposits in pipes, causing some
industries to lower their maximum allowable levels.2
Normal and maximum TDS levels vary with the use and the source
TDS Levels (mg/L)
Designated Use
Human consumption
Livestock and fish
4
consumption
Fresh water

5
5

Brackish water
5

Sea water

Lakes and streams

Rivers

Groundwater

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Normal Ranges

Upper Limit

25100

500

Varies with species

1000

Depends on location

1500

1500

5,000

nearly 35,000

100,000

50250

35,000

10020,000

Depends on conditions

Depends on location

Can be higher than 20,000

PS-2829A

Water Quality Field Guide

Chart 7
Total Dissolved Solids
100
90
80
70
Q-Value

Generally, as the level of total dissolved solids

increases, the Q-value declines and water quality
diminishes. The only exception to this curve is when
TDS is very low (less than 50 mg/L). A small
amount of dissolved nutrients in a water body is
healthy for cell development and function in
organisms.

60
50
40
30
20
10
0
0

50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500

mg/L
(Note: If TDS level > 500, Q=20)

Measuring Procedure for Conductivity

1.

Plug the Conductivity Sensor or Salinity Sensor into the data collection system. (2.1)

2.

Calibrate the Conductivity Sensor, (2.5) or Salinity Sensor. (2.9)

Finding TDS
1.

If required for your data collection system, begin by building an experiment. (2.3)
Otherwise, set the display to show Conductivity measurements. (2.3)

2.

Set your data collection system to Manual Sampling. (2.3)

3.

Immerse the end of the probe into the sample of water to be measured. When the reading
stabilizes, record the conductivity reading. (2.4)
Note: Be sure to immerse the holes near the end of the sensor. Swirl the probe to be sure
any air bubbles are removed from the end of the probe.

4.

Take additional measurements as needed, following the procedure above.

5.

From the conductivity values, apply the conversion factor to calculate TDS (see
Determining TDS above).

References
1. Holmes-Farley, R. What is TDS? Reefkeeping. 2004, 4. www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-04/rhf/feature/
(accessed Oct 1, 2010).
2. Secondary Drinking Water Regulations: Guidance for Nuisance Chemicals. PA 810/K-92-001; July,
1992. United States Environmental Protection Agency.
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/consumer/2ndstandards.html (accessed Oct 1, 2010).
3. Quality Criteria for Water (Red Book). 1976, Washington, D.C.: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
4. Explanation of Standard Potable Water Supply Series of Analyses. Wyoming Department of
Agriculture, Analytical Services. File: PWSTDEXP.DOC. 07/19/2002.
http://wyagric.state.wy.us/images/stories/pdf/aslab/pwdataexp.pdf (accessed Oct 1, 2010).
5. Industrial Waste Abatement and Management; Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) Q&A.
http://www.albuw.ait.ac.th/Group_R/TDS/report-4/Database/Q&A.htm (accessed Sept 28, 2010).
6. Murphy, S. General Information on Solids. City of Boulder, USGS Water Quality Monitoring.
http://bcn.boulder.co.us/basin/data/NUTRIENTS/info/TDS.html (accessed Oct 1, 2010).

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