RGDC Monitor: A Real-Time Rainwater TDS Tracking System
What is TDS? Many of us have seen a pen-like device called a TDS meter to check water quality. When its electrodes are dipped into water, the display shows a number – the TDS value. For drinking water, this value is typically ideal between 50 to 300 ppm . TDS means Total Dissolved Solids , referring to the total concentration of dissolved inorganic and organic substances in water. About 90–95% of these come from inorganic salts. Common ions contributing to TDS include: Calcium (Ca²⁺) Magnesium (Mg²⁺) Sodium (Na⁺) Potassium (K⁺) Bicarbonates (HCO₃⁻) Chlorides (Cl⁻) Sulfates (SO₄²⁻) Nitrates (NO₃⁻) Phosphates (PO₄³⁻) Pure water is a poor conductor of electricity. Conductivity increases when dissolved ions are present. A TDS meter actually measures the electrical conductivity (EC) of water in µS/cm . The TDS value is then estimated from EC (approximately EC × 0.55). TDS in Rainwater Rainwater forms by a natural distillation process – ...