Drinking water filter performance and total disolved solids question

[Enids Hubby]

I recently had the big sales pitch for a reverse osmosis drinking water system that was extremely expensive. Instead I bought a well known filter brand that goes on the end of the faucet for 30.00 . I have a tester for TDS ( total disolved solids) . My regular tap water is over 530 and the filter does not lower it at all . I've checked various bottled water with the tester and they are all 200 or 300 or lower and I tested the water left by the salesperson with the reverse osmosis system and get only 3 . My question is : is a reverse osmosis system the only way to lower tds . and does anyone have another type of filter system that you have tested for tds and did it lower it . and can I assume my 30 dollar filter does any good even though my tds is not lower? and how can you tell if is working if not by a tds measurement? I have called the filter company and they pretty much read the side of the box and are no help. Any water experts out there? Thanks

[BobT]

I would think a distiller could be another way.

Bob

[DTro]

Is a lower TDS better?

[fishinchicks]

A distiller works as well. We used one for about 8 years before we put in reverse osmosis. Our distiller did a gallon overnight. We basically ran it every night to keep up with our three kids, hubby, and myself. It puts out heat, since it boils the water and sends the steam through coils to condense again. That was an issue when we lived in a small house with no a/c.

The reverse osmosis system we put in holds a few gallons, and fits under our kitchen sink. We purchased a smaller, used unit, so our expenses were lower. If we are having a ton of company, we will buy water, otherwise it keeps up just fine. A lot less hassel than the distiller.

[delcecchi]

Why do you want low dissolved solids? DI or distilled water tastes bad and isn't particularly good for you. That is why they put minerals back in some brands of bottled water.

Is there something in your water that you need to get rid of? Do you think that the dissolved solids like calcium are unhealthy?

[Eric Wettschreck]

I know a thing or 2 about this, I used to build industrial RO systems.

Filters remove suspended solids. RO (Reverse osmosis) removes dissolved solids.

A filter will NOT lower your TDS.

Do you need a low TDS? No. When you drink bottled water is your thirst actually quenched? Most times not really. Why? Because there is no mineral in the water.

What problems do you have with your water that you think you need some type of "System" to cure it? I ask as there are a lot of very inexpensive options availiable to you. Hit me with the problem and I'll help steer you down an affordable road, without a sales pitch.

By the way, we all know your body needs water. Your body also needs the minerals that are often obtained by drinking water. If you go to a super low TDS in your water you may (stressing the word may) be hurting yourself in the long run.

[Enids Hubby]

I should have explained more in original post. TDS or total disolved solids can cause gastrointestinal illness such as diarrha if in to high of amounts . The EPA max level is 500 ppm and I have over that . I don't really need to eliminate them completely , but they should be much lower . I have no problems with the water such as smell or taste I just want healthier water.

I have never heard of a distiller and might have to check into that. boilerguy gave me an answer I needed and said filter will not remove tds's . I thought the lower the tds the more healthier the water . Tds might only be a small part of the over all picture .Boilerguy what would you recommend for better water?

[MuleShack]

rather than going out and purchasing the entire RO system.

You could just by those in line filter cartridges and make shift 2 or 3 in line similar to the RO system and then put the carbon filter in the first and the tighter filter in the 2nd one. That should reduce your particles.

Of course if you our the hubby is a do it yourselfer this would be possible. You should be able to pick up the individual filters (that are used in an RO system from any place that sells them) and cut in to the line to the kitchen sink, so it doesn't filter the entire house supply.

[delcecchi]

So the TDS in your water is making you sick? Or you think it might? Or is it clogging up your plumbing?

I don't think filters remove dissolved materials.

You can buy a lot of drinking water for the cost of a system if it is only drinking that you are concerned about. We drink bottled water up north some because the iron in the water can make it taste bad.

[delcecchi]

I searched and found

http://waterquality.montana.edu/docs/homeowner/tds_fact_sheet.shtml

and

http://www.epa.gov/safewater/consumer/2ndstandards.html

Montana summarized....

Total Dissolved Solids are classified as a secondary contaminant by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and a suggested maximum is 500 ppm. Concerns with secondary standards relate to aesthetic or cosmetic quality of the water rather than health concerns. TDS can give water a murky appearance and detract from the taste quality of the water. Gastrointestinal irritation in some individuals can be caused by high TDS levels. TDS can also interfere with treatment devices and is an important consideration when choosing a treatment system.

I hope these references are helpful. The epa one has a nice table listing all of the secondary contaminants and the factors of concern.

[Enids Hubby]

delcecchi thanks for the links . The first one does not pop up but the seconds one does . I never knew how much garbage is in drinking water till you read up it. I've been shopping and found several reverse osmosis units at a fraction of the price the big name tried selling to me . I think reverse osmosis is the way to go, now it's time to compare performance for price on those units.

[Eric Wettschreck]

Just rember that TDS and conductivity are just numbers. It's what is in the water causing the TDS that you need to be concerned with, and treat accordingly.

[delcecchi]

Quit working for me too. Try this one. more info also.

http://waterquality.montana.edu/docs/homeowners.shtml