Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)

The mass of the solids that are dissolved in a sample of water is called the total dissolved solids. This number is found in the laboratory by evaporating the water in a sample and determining the mass of solids left in the container after all the water is gone. In the field it is usually checked by a device that measures the conductivity of the water. The greater the conductivity of the water the more dissolved material there is in the water.

Previous Page