High TDS levels in tap water

[Don Zapp]

Originally Posted by DougStark

Have you ever checked your TDS levels at the tap with a cheap meter? Mine is averaging around 800 ppm/liter. That's nothing to brag about.

Anyone else check their TDS levels (the amount of salts in the water.)?

I live in North Phoenix and for the last 3 years measured TDS levels around 450. My Osmosis system knocks it down in the 30s.

Today my tap water TDS was 810 and Osmosis was 80. I see the 2015 Phoenix water quality report says TDS can range up to 900. I was wondering if other Phoenix water users see wide variations in their TDS readings?

[DougStark]

Don, I checked mine this AM and it was 763 (way up from the 300s just a few weeks ago.) They've obviously switched water sources to make this big a change. I'd like to get to the bottom of what the water department is doing instead of just guessing, since I'm paying for it.

FYI. Last summer it got in the ridiculous range low 900s.

[DougStark]

Originally Posted by cactusland

Fluoride has no benefit when ingested. In toothpaste, yes, but when ingested, it is not metabolized in any way that provides benefit to bones/teeth.

Fluoride toothpaste yes, fluoridated water, waste of money.

cactus, can you provide a source for your claims that fluoride doesn't benefit bones?
I have a credible source that says it does: Water fluoridation and osteoporotic fracture. - PubMed - NCBI

The tap water we receive only has 1ppm fluoride, a very low level that is recommended by the medical community. Bottom line, more fluoride is not better. A tiny amount (1 ppm) is good.

[DougStark]

Best, you can buy cheapo R/O units without a holding tank for about $80 bucks on ebay.

[Zippyman]

Originally Posted by Don Zapp

I live in North Phoenix and for the last 3 years measured TDS levels around 450. My Osmosis system knocks it down in the 30s.

Today my tap water TDS was 810 and Osmosis was 80. I see the 2015 Phoenix water quality report says TDS can range up to 900. I was wondering if other Phoenix water users see wide variations in their TDS readings?

I got 596 just a few minutes ago - that's as high as I've seen so far, but I don't check it that often. I'm at 20th st & Union hills.. I know they change sources throughout the year & the color & stank can vary pretty wildly when they do.

[kell490]

My TDS is around 680 most of the time I built an RO 4"x 40" with a di for car washing takes my TDS to zero won't leave any water spots even in hot summer sun. I can just let it dry in the sun nothing is left behind. For drinking best systems are 5 stages removes all the bad chemicals then adds some minerals back. Also adding a pump will make your RO last longer and work better. Never liked Salt systems your just exchanging TDS for salt.

[DougStark]

kell, from what I've read, the RO units with an electric booster pump produce more water (and waste less water at the same time.) However, you're more likely to have scaling problems on your RO membrane with the booster powered RO units UNLESS you pre-treat the source water with a salt-based water softener (something I don't want to do.)

So, while my non-boost RO does waste water, I have it located outside in a cabinet. The waste water flows on my patio pavers and waters my shade tree, so I consider it a "win-win".

The DI filters are great add-ons for an RO system for car washing, but the DI media is pricey. I've never bought a DI.

[Zippyman]

Originally Posted by DougStark

kell, from what I've read, the RO units with an electric booster pump produce more water (and waste less water at the same time.) However, you're more likely to have scaling problems on your RO membrane with the booster powered RO units UNLESS you pre-treat the source water with a salt-based water softener (something I don't want to do.)

So, while my non-boost RO does waste water, I have it located outside in a cabinet. The waste water flows on my patio pavers and waters my shade tree, so I consider it a "win-win".

The DI filters are great add-ons for an RO system for car washing, but the DI media is pricey. I've never bought a DI.

My RO has a booster pump (Watts zero-waste), and it's been running the same membrane since 2009. I had a softener until about 2011 & when it sprung a leak, I tossed it.

[DougStark]

right on, zippy. I might check out buying a watts booster pump. I recently bought a much larger storage tank, so I have no shortage of RO water at the moment from my single membrane unit.

I learned somewhere that if you use a too restrictive flow control, your membrane will be more likely to scale up due to the hard minerals in our water. Another thing I learned is that the more you use your RO, the better it is for the membrane (keeps bacteria from growing on it.)

Does anyone know if they treat recycled water (in the purple pipes) with R/O equipment before they distribute it for landscape use? I doubt it, but not sure.