The human body depends on both food and water to receive its nutrients. Other than the major food groups of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, it also needs vitamins and minerals for optimal functioning. When we cook food, we eliminate heat-sensitive contaminants through the process of cooking. But when it comes to water, even if we take the trouble of boiling and drinking the water, we cannot be assured of drinking 100% safe and clean water.
Thankfully, technology has kept pace with water pollution and came up with a variety of water purifiers for the Indian market. Before we understand filtration, let us understand the role played by TDS.
What is TDS?
TDS is the Total Dissolved Solids present in your water that includes the bicarbonates and sulfates of Sodium, Magnesium, and Calcium in the main. The Total Dissolved Solids quotient of your water supply is a very important factor in determining if you need a water purification system at your home and if you do, which one to choose. A TDS meter is a home-essential that you can use to check the TDS of the water supply of your home and so, you should get it right away.
If we go by the recommendations of the Bureau of Indian Standards, a TDS level in the range of 50 – 300 ppm is ideal for drinking and doesn’t need you to invest in high-end purifiers like RO purifiers. However, we do recommend that you get yourself a UV purifier to nearly eliminate contaminants like bacteria and viruses.
TDS in the range of 50-300 ppm is considered ideal to be consumed because it has all the naturally occurring mineral substances in quantities that you can benefit from. In fact, water is considered a better source of these minerals than food because they would be
Let’s look at the benefits of a few of these minerals
Calcium: You probably already know that Calcium is essential for strong bones and teeth. Lesser-known benefits of Calcium include being a factor for healthy muscles, heart, nerves, nails, and hair. If you are a vegan, please consider taking a Calcium supplement under a physician’s guidance. Calcium deficiency can cause weakness in the muscles and fatigue. Over the years, you may even develop osteoporosis and dental ailments. In children, Calcium deficiency can result in stunted growth as well.
Magnesium: Magnesium is needed by the human body for supporting heart health, muscle, and nerve functions. In chronic cases of deficiency, one may develop high blood pressure, heart disease, and osteoarthritis. However, moderate the consumption of supplements if you happen to use laxatives.
Sodium: The right amount of Sodium intake helps maintain the right balance of fluids in your body, transmits nerve impulses, and helps in the contraction and relaxation of muscles. However, beware of excessive Sodium, which can sneak into your diet through snacks and your table salt-shaker. Moderation is key.
When you consume clean water whose TDS is in the optimal range (50-300 ppm), you can obtain the naturally occurring ions of Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Copper, etc. even if you don’t go for a water purifier.
The demineralization dilemma
But if your TDS exceeds 500 ppm, you should immediately invest in an RO (Reverse Osmosis) water purification system. RO purifiers remove approximately 95% of the TDS in water, dispensing nearly 100% pure water. However, along with the harmful contaminants, the essential minerals of the water are also eliminated. This water is demineralized water. In any case, check if you need a RO water purifier before you take a decision.
What’s the solution?
Thankfully, technology has once again kept pace with the challenge and offers a couple of solutions. Let’s check them out without further ado:
TDS Controller
RO water purifiers from reputed brands like HUL’s Pureit have variants that offer TDS controllers. A TDS controller is the component of an RO purifier unit which is operated by a valve.
The water that enters a purifier with a TDS controller is divided into two halves: one half passes through the semipermeable membrane which eliminates around 95% of the TDS. The other half is typically passed through a UV purifier to retain just the minerals and eliminate pathogens like bacteria and viruses.
A TDS controller offers you the flexibility where you can shut off the controller when you need 100% pure water. This may be useful if you relocate to a place with an impossibly high TDS where you can’t afford to allow even some of it to seep through into your glass of water.
Being a cost-effective solution, a TDS controller is ideal if your water does not have residues of heavy metals like Arsenic, Aluminium, Lead, and Mercury. Since UV purifier does not eliminate heavy metal residues, the output of your purifier unit may contain them.
Check the entire range of RO water purifiers from Pureit RO.
Mineralization Cartridge
As an alternative to TDS controller, you can opt for a RO purification system that comes with a mineralization cartridge like that of Copper and Silver. A mineralizer works on the concepts of electrolysis and ionization. Silver has antibacterial properties and helps in killing germs and protecting water from algae. Copper ions have anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties that protect the body not only against a range of ailments but also against deadly diseases like cancer.
The water that passes through an RO purifier with a mineralization cartridge is purified to produce nearly distilled water quality water. There is no partial purification and there is no danger from TDS or heavy metal residues.
Mineralization cartridges are slightly more expensive to purchase and replace, but on the whole, they are a better alternative.
