Methods of Water Treatment


Water Contaminants

Acidic Water
Aluminum
Ammonia
Arsenic
Bacteria
Barium
Benzene
Bicarbonate
Borate (Boron)
Bromine (Bromide)
Cadmium
Calcium
Carbon Dioxide
Carbon Tetrachloride
Chloride
Chlorine
Chromium
Color
Copper
Cryptosporidium
Cyanide
Fluoride
Giardia Lamblia
Hardness
Hydrogen Sulfide
Iron
Lead
Legionella
Magnesium
Manganese
Mercury
Methane
Nickel
Nitrate
Nitrite
Odor
Organics
Pesticides
pH
Potassium
Radium
Radon
Selenium
Silica
Silver
SOC's
Sodium
Strontium
Sulfate
Taste
THM's
TOC
Total Dissolved Solids
Turbidity
Uranium
Viruses
VOCs

Total Dissolved Solids

Source
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) consist mainly of carbonates, bicarbonates, chlorides, sulfates, phosphates, nitrates, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, iron, manganese, and a few others. They do not include gases, colloids, or sediment. The TDS can be estimated by measuring the specific conductance of the water. Dissolved solids in natural waters range from less than 10 mg/i for rain to more than 100,000 mg/I for brines. Since TDS is the sum of all materials dissolved in the water, it has many different mineral sources. The chart below indicates the TDS from various sources.

Total Disolved Solid (mg/l)
Distilled Water (0)
Two-column Deionizer Water (8)
Rain and Snow (10)
Lake Michigan (170)
Average rivers in the U.S. (210)
Missouri River (360)
Pecos River (2,600)
Oceans (35,000)
Brine Well (125,000)
Dead Sea (250,000)

High levels of total dissolved solids can adversely industrial applications requiring the use of water such as cooling tower operations; boiler feed water, food and beverage industries, and electronics manufacturers. High levels of chloride and sulfate will accelerate corrosion of metals. The US EPA has a suggested level of 500 mg/i listed in the Secondary Drinking Water Standards.

Treatment
TDS reduction is accomplished by reducing the total amount in the water. This is done during the process of deionization or with reverse osmosis. Electrodiaiysis will also reduce the TDS.

Related Products
AP-RO5500 - For: Drinking Water Systems, under sink.