Analysis and Correlation of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and Electrical Conductivity in Drinking Water Samples

Abstract

Water quality plays a critical role in human health, agriculture, and industrial use. One key indicator of water purity is the Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), representing the concentration of dissolved inorganic salts and small amounts of organic matter. This study investigates TDS levels across various local water sources (tap, borewell, filtered, and bottled) and analyzes their suitability based on WHO and BIS standards. Using a digital TDS meter and standard gravimetric method, readings were recorded and statistically analyzed. Results revealed that borewell and untreated sources had TDS levels above 500 mg/L, indicating potential hardness and contamination, whereas RO-purified and bottled water showed lower readings within permissible limits. The study concludes with insights into the health and environmental implications of excessive TDS and recommendations for sustainable water purification practices.

Introduction

This study evaluates Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) in water from various sources to assess water quality based on BIS (500 mg/L) and WHO (1000 mg/L) standards. TDS indicates the total inorganic and organic substances in water, influencing taste, hardness, and long-term health.

Objectives: Collect water from tap, borewell, river, RO, and bottled sources; measure TDS digitally and gravimetrically; compare with standards; analyze correlation with electrical conductivity; recommend treatment if needed.

Methodology: Samples were collected in clean bottles and tested within 24 hours using digital TDS meters and gravimetric analysis. Conductivity was also measured.

Results:

• Tap Water: 412 ppm (within BIS limit)

• Borewell: 860 ppm (high minerals)

• River: 520 ppm (slightly above limit)

• RO Water: 45 ppm (excellent)

• Bottled Water: 92 ppm (safe)

A strong positive correlation (R² = 0.98) was observed between TDS and conductivity. High TDS in borewell water is due to dissolved minerals, while RO and bottled water comply with standards, confirming suitability for consumption.

Conclusion

The study concludes that TDS concentration varies widely across different water sources, with borewell and untreated surface water exceeding the recommended limits. High TDS can affect taste, cause scale deposition, and indicate potential contamination. Future work could include detailed ionic analysis using spectrophotometry or ICP, seasonal variation studies, and the development of smart IoT-based real-time water quality monitoring systems.

References

[1] BIS Standard IS 10500:2012 – Drinking Water Specification. [2] WHO (2017), Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality, 4th Edition. [3] Sharma, P., & Mehta, K. (2021). Assessment of TDS in Groundwater Sources of Central India. Journal of Environmental Studies. [4] Patel, N., & Singh, V. (2023). Correlation of TDS and Conductivity in Drinking Water Sources. IJRASET. [5] Gupta, S. et al. (2022). Comparative Evaluation of RO and Borewell Water Quality Parameters. IJRTE.

Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Suyash Verma. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.