For many Indian households, checking the TDS level has become almost as routine as checking the price of a water purifier. But TDS is only one part of the picture. The CGWB’s 2024 groundwater assessment found nitrate levels above the BIS permissible limit in nearly 20% of monitored samples, while fluoride exceeded the limit in 9.04% and arsenic in 3.35%. These numbers show why a single reading on a TDS meter may not tell the full story of the water flowing into your home.
7 water quality questions Indians should be asking
So, the next time you check your water quality, Dr Anil Kumar, Chief Water Scientist, Eureka Forbes, shares seven questions worth asking:
1. Is the water actually safe to drink, even if the TDS looks fine?
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A reassuring TDS number doesn't automatically mean the water is free of bacteria. Ask whether the water has been tested for E. coli and coliform bacteria, particularly if your home depends on groundwater, tankers, or other variable sources. These are among the parameters covered under India’s drinking-water standards.
2. What is actually contributing to my TDS?
Two water samples can have a similar TDS reading but contain very different dissolved substances. This is why it can be useful to know whether your water contains concerns such as fluoride, nitrate, or arsenic, rather than treating the TDS number as a complete quality check.
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3. Could my everyday water contain heavy metals?
For households in older buildings or areas with particular groundwater concerns, it is worth asking about contaminants such as lead, cadmium, mercury and chromium. A TDS meter cannot tell you which individual substances are present in the water.
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4. Does my water change with the season?
The water you use in summer may not necessarily have the same quality during or after the monsoon. Changes in groundwater, rainfall, and contamination pathways can affect water quality, so periodic testing is a sensible practice rather than relying on a single reading taken months ago.
5. Am I choosing a purifier based on my water, or just its TDS claim?
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Instead of asking whether a purifier can “reduce TDS”, understand what your household water actually needs. RO, UV, UF, activated carbon, and membrane-based technologies serve different purposes, so the right choice depends on the water source and its quality.
6. What else does the filtration system target?
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For consumers looking beyond conventional dissolved salts, filtration technology and independently verified removal claims deserve attention. Newer approaches, such as Purification with nanopore filter technology, show that purification is increasingly moving toward addressing a wider range of contaminants rather than making TDS reduction the sole measure of performance.
7. When was the last time the purifier was serviced?
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Even a sophisticated purifier needs attention. Check filter life, replacement schedules, and maintenance requirements rather than assuming that its performance remains unchanged indefinitely. For something used every day, upkeep is part of water hygiene too.
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