What is TDS? Why does it matter and how high TDS in water is a growing concern in Kolathur, Chennai?
TDS stands for Total Dissolved Solids, and it represents the total concentration of inorganic salts dissolved in water such as (calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chlorides and sulphates). The ideal TDS levels for water is in the range of 50-500 ppm. Anything above that limit is called high TDS and is hazardous.
High TDS in water causes mineral scaling in pipes and appliances, changes the taste of water and may be a sign of a high salt consumption that strains the kidneys and presence of heavy toxic metals (arsenic, lead) in drinking water.
In Chennai, localities such as Kolathur get their main water supply from Red Hills reservoir, with additional water being supplied from the local treatment facility at Retteri Lake. People in the area heavily rely on the ground water extraction, increasing the TDS levels, because of which water concerns escalate quickly. ( High TDS water treatment in Kolathur, Chennai )
What are the signs that a home in Kolathur, Chennai is facing hard water in borewell water?
In Kolathur, an area well known for hard borewell water, Mr. Nitin Bhasker, a young IT professional, found himself dealing with the same persistent issues in his individual home. Having lived in the locality all his life, he recognized the signs immediately, white scales in the bathroom, rough water, and daily inconvenience.
Groundwater dependency, coastal location, tanker water, increases the levels of salts and minerals in water and contributes to Chennai’s unique water challenges, which include:
- White scales in the bathroom
- Salty or bitter taste of water
- Dry and flaky skin, hair and nails
- Frequent damage to appliances
- Soaps do not foam well
Mr. Nitin was consistently facing the same hard water problem in his new house.
What are the distinctive challenges faced by Kolathur residents due to high TDS in water?
As any homeowner in Chennai can tell you, dealing with water that has a high total dissolved solids (TDS) is no picnic. Here are some of the most common challenges faced due to high TDS in water:
White scale problems in bathrooms: Excess minerals in water leave behind tough white stains on the bathroom taps, shower heads, tiles and glass surfaces which look messy and are difficult to clean.
Damage to appliances: High TDS in water wears out house appliances way too quickly, affecting its performance and lifespan.
Dry hair and Skin: Regular bathing in high TDS water can become the cause for frizzy hair, dry skin, and in some cases even hair fall.
Altered taste of water: Water containing high levels of TDS can often taste salty or bitter making it unpleasant for drinking or cooking.
Increased maintenance cost: Constant contact with water with a high total dissolved solids content increases the frequency and cost of cleaning, repairing, and servicing household appliances.
How to address these problems caused by high TDS in water?
After we understand the results of the water tests, we may choose the best technique for treating the water. We can provide a solution based on the levels of the TDS and usage. We at Water Sparks®, are firm believers in getting to the bottom of issues. Therefore, we walked Mr. Nitin through all the possible options for high TDS water treatment in Kolathur, Chennai:
- Water Softener: This system works on an Ion exchange process to remove hardness-causing minerals like calcium and magnesium. While it helps reduce scaling, it only partially softens the water (around 60%) and requires regular maintenance with salt refills. Additionally, it does not effectively remove dissolved salts like chlorides and sulphates. They do not significantly reduce the TDS levels.
- Reverse Osmosis (RO): We clearly explained that, unlike softeners, this system uses advanced RO membranes to eliminate dissolved salts and impurities. It doesn’t rely on ion exchange but instead filters out unwanted minerals at a molecular level. Reverse Osmosis is one of the most reliable and effective solution for TDS in water.
Installing an automatic RO system for entire home that filters out hard water in borewell water
Following a thorough explanation of both alternatives and Mr. Nitin’s understanding that the water softener will retain some salt, he was persuaded to purchase a 500 LPH whole house RO system.
How does an RO system work?
The process of automatic reverse osmosis (RO) begins with a high concentration of water and ends with a low concentration of water because of a concentration gradient created by applying force to the water molecules and the membrane.
Key components:
- Pre- filter: Before going through a carbon filter to remove chlorides, the water is filtered through sediment filters to remove sand and dust.
- Pressurisation: A motor pump raises the water pressure to force water molecules through the RO membrane.
- RO Membrane: The main stage where the waste materials are isolated from water using a semi-permeable membrane with tiny pores of 0.0001 microns through ion elimination process.
- Automatic Shut-off: This system senses when the storage tank is full and automatically shuts off the water supply to prevent wastage.
- Storage and post filtering: A pressurized tank stores the purified water, which before it reaches the faucet undergoes one last polishing carbon filter to improve its taste.
Choose Water Sparks® to be your partner in solving every hard water problem
Mr. Nitin Bhasker had grown increasingly frustrated with the high TDS borewell water in his home in Kolathur, Chennai. Determined to find high TDS water treatment in Kolathur, Chennai, he approached Water Sparks® for expert guidance. This marked the beginning of a more structured and scientific approach to solving his water problem. The team at Water Sparks® first conducted a detailed analysis of the water at his residence.
The results clearly indicated extremely high TDS levels of around 1500 ppm, along with water characteristics that required comprehensive treatment rather than a temporary fix. Based on this, our experts recommended a fully automatic 500 LPH RO plant with an auto pre-filter system, designed specifically to handle high TDS borewell water for entire household usage.
Once the solution was explained in detail, including the working principle, expected results, and long-term benefits, Mr. Nitin confidently went ahead with the installation. Within 20 days, a fully customized system tailored to his home’s requirements was manufactured and delivered. The installation was then completed efficiently within just 2 days.
The TDS levels dropped drastically from 1500 ppm to below 100 ppm, making the water significantly safer and more usable across the home. The pH level also adjusted from 7 to around 6.2 after treatment. Seeing such a remarkable improvement, Mr. Nitin considered using this treated water for drinking as well. However, at Water Sparks®, we believe in going the extra mile to ensure complete water safety. To make the water ideal for consumption, we installed an additional sediment filter and a pH neutralizer at the drinking point, ensuring balanced pH and enhanced purity for safe drinking water.
At the time, Mr. Nitin was in the process of renovating his entire home. Choosing Water Sparks® to handle his water treatment needs turned out to be a crucial part of that upgrade. With the whole-house RO system in place, he no longer must worry about scaling on bathroom surfaces, damage to appliances, or the effects of hard water on his skin and hair. Today, Mr. Nitin sees the Water Sparks® whole-house RO plant not just as a water treatment system, but as an essential investment in his home’s long-term care and his family’s well-being.
FAQs – High TDS Water Treatment in Kolathur, Chennai
What is high TDS water and why is it a problem in Kolathur, Chennai?
High TDS water contains excess dissolved salts like calcium, magnesium, chlorides, and sulphates. In Kolathur, Chennai, borewell water often has high TDS due to groundwater contamination and salinity, leading to white scale, bad taste, and appliance damage.
How does high TDS water affect homes in Kolathur?
High TDS water in Kolathur causes:
- White scale buildup in bathrooms and taps
- Damage to washing machines and heaters
- Dry skin and hair issues
- Bitter or salty water taste
- Increased maintenance costs
What is the best solution for high TDS water treatment in Kolathur, Chennai?
The most effective solution is a whole house RO system (like 500 LPH RO plant). It removes dissolved salts and reduces TDS significantly, making water safe for bathing, cooking, and drinking across the entire home.
Can a water softener remove high TDS from borewell water?
No. A water softener only removes hardness-causing minerals like calcium and magnesium. It does not reduce total dissolved solids (TDS). For high TDS water, a Reverse Osmosis (RO) system is required.
Why is 500 LPH RO system recommended for homes in Kolathur?
A 500 LPH whole house RO system is suitable for Kolathur homes because:
- It handles high borewell water TDS (even above 1000 ppm)
- Provides treated water for the entire house
- Reduces white scale and plumbing damage
- Ensures safe and consistent water quality for daily use