Minerals, TDS, and Drinking Water

A TDS number is one piece of information. It cannot tell you everything that is in your glass.

What does TDS mean?

Total dissolved solids describes dissolved material in water. Common handheld meters estimate TDS from electrical conductivity. They do not identify each substance or replace a contaminant-specific laboratory test.

Two samples with a similar reading can contain different substances. A low reading is not proof that water is free of every contaminant; a higher reading is not, by itself, proof that the water is unsafe.

Is TDS the same as hardness?

No. Hardness mainly reflects dissolved calcium and magnesium. It can contribute to deposits and affect soap performance. TDS is a broader measurement, so the two numbers answer different questions.

What changes after filtration?

RO can reduce dissolved salts as part of its treatment process. Carbon and other filtration technologies should be judged by their stated reduction claims, not by an expectation that every filter must lower TDS.

Purative is not an RO system or a TDS-removal system. Its role is whole-home cartridge filtration. AquaTru provides RO treatment for drinking and cooking water.

Where do minerals fit?

Water’s mineral content and a filter’s contaminant-reduction performance are separate considerations. If you prefer a mineralized taste, choose an option compatible with your system and follow its instructions. Adding minerals does not purify water.

For a practical starting point, compare whole-house filtration and RO, then use your water report and the product’s documented claims to narrow your choices.