How to Check Ppm of Water

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

If your water is odorless and clear, how in the world can you tell what’s in it? The answer is you measure really, really small. Parts per million (ppm) measures tiny amounts of substances in your water. It’s actually really easy to test the ppm of water to make sure it’s safe to drink. You just need a water quality tester. To help you out, we’ve answered a few of the most common questions about testing the ppm of water.

Question 1 of 5:

What is ppm water testing?

PDF download Download Article
  1. Parts per million (ppm) equals one part contaminant to one million parts water. Ppm testing is an effective way to measure substances like chlorine and salt. For reference, 1 ppm is the equivalent of 1 or 2 grains of sugar dissolved in a bathtub full of water. [1]
    • Some substances and toxins are so small they can be measured in parts per billion (ppb).
    2. Advertisement
Question 2 of 5:

Is ppm and TDS the same?

PDF download Download Article
  1. TDS stands for total dissolved solids, which are the amount of organic and inorganic substances in the water. It can include salts, metals, minerals, and other substances. [2] TDS uses parts per million (ppm) as a measurement of solids contained within a volume of water. So essentially, TDS and ppm are components of each other.
Question 3 of 5:

How do you measure ppm in water?

PDF download Download Article
  1. A water quality tester is an electronic device that quickly tests the ppm of a sample of water. Fill a glass with water, turn on the tester, and insert it into the water. Wait a minute or so until the tester takes a reading and then check the ppm of the water sample. [3]
    • You can find water quality testers at pool supply stores. You can also order them online.
  2. A color-wheel test is commonly used to test pool water to check the chlorine levels. You’ll dissolve a special tablet in a sample of the water that causes it to change colors. Then, you’ll compare the color of the water to a chart to get a range of the ppm levels of chlorine in the water.
    • A digital colorimeter involves dissolving special tablets into a sample of water that causes the water to change colors, which you can then test with a special meter. It’s more accurate than a color-wheel test.
    3. Advertisement
Question 4 of 5:

What is the normal ppm of tap water?

PDF download Download Article
  1. Because tap water is often used as drinking water and for tasks such as washing dishes and bathing, you want the ppm levels to be low. The lower the ppm, the lower the amount of total dissolved solids (TDS) in the water such as inorganic salts and minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Anything below 100 ppm is a good range.
Question 5 of 5:

How many ppm in water is safe?

PDF download Download Article
  1. While the ideal range for drinking water is below 100 ppm, water is still safe at higher levels. Any water with a ppm level below 400 ppm is safe for things like bathing, washing, and even drinking.
    2. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • If your tap water has higher ppm levels, you can install water filters that can reduce its levels.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Adjust a Pressure Switch
      8 Easy Ways to Repair a Leaky Pipe
      How to
      Turn Your Water Back On After It’s Been Shut Off
      How to
      Detect Water Leaks in Walls
      How to
      Boil Water (& How Long It Takes)
      How to
      Chug Water Safely: Tips and Tricks
      How to
      Calculate and Measure Water Pump Horsepower
      How to
      Troubleshoot Low Water Pressure
      How to
      Raise the pH of Water
      How to
      Check Your Water Quality with or without a Kit
      How to
      Increase Water Pressure
      How to
      Prime a Water Pump
      How to
      Increase Well Water Pressure
      How to
      Fix Hard Water
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.facilities.vt.edu/content/dam/facilities_vt_edu/stormwater/mcm3_WQ_Guidelines.pdf
      2. ↑ https://www.safewater.org/fact-sheets-1/2017/1/23/tds-and-ph
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/l-6q3y_xLXg?t=107

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 47,644 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement