Water Quality Testing

Water quality is defined by measurable parameters that directly affect safety, performance of filtration systems, and long-term health impact.

Typical tap water may contain dissolved solids, heavy metals, chlorine, bacteria, and organic compounds. These are evaluated using the following key metrics:

• TDS (Total Dissolved Solids)
Measured in ppm (mg/L). Indicates the total concentration of dissolved minerals and salts.

  • Typical tap water: 150–500 ppm
  • After reverse osmosis: 5–30 ppm

• pH Level
Measures acidity or alkalinity (scale 0–14).

  • Drinking water standard: 6.5–8.5
  • RO water typically: ~6.0–7.0

• Chlorine (Cl₂)
Added for disinfection but affects taste and may form harmful byproducts.

  • Typical tap water: 0.2–1.0 mg/L
  • After carbon filtration: ~0 mg/L

• Hardness (Ca²⁺ / Mg²⁺)
Measured in mg/L or °dH. Causes scale buildup and reduces appliance lifespan.

  • Soft water: <60 mg/L
  • Hard water: >120 mg/L

• Heavy Metals (Pb, Hg, Cd)
Present in trace amounts from pipes or contamination.

  • Lead (Pb) limit: <0.01 mg/L (WHO guideline)

• Conductivity (µS/cm)
Correlates with TDS. Higher values indicate higher ion concentration.

🔧 Measurement Tools

Water quality can be quickly evaluated using:

  • TDS meter – instant reading of dissolved solids
  • pH meter – accurate acidity measurement
  • Chlorine test kit – residual disinfectant levels
  • Laboratory analysis – full spectrum (metals, bacteria, VOCs)

⚙️ Why It Matters

Understanding these values allows proper system selection and filter configuration. Reverse osmosis systems can remove up to 95–99% of dissolved contaminants, depending on membrane quality and pressure conditions.