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What should be TDS of Drinking Water? – Water Crisis in India

Are you sure about the water that you are drinking is Safe or TDS of Drinking water comes under safe level? If you are depending upon the government again for the supply of safe Drinking water to you then you are doing a big mistake and putting your life in danger as well.

Because there are many cities in India where people are dying just because they are drinking direct tap supply from the government that coming to their homes, And Delhi – The capital of India is one of them.

This article is to make you aware about the water crisis in India as well as increasing incidents of people falling ill and even dying due to drinking of contaminated water or the water that is not safe for Drinking.

Water Crisis In India

“The water coming from taps can take your life one day”—this thought is terrifying. In India, living a healthy and safe life become far from easy these days. Whether it’s Air pollution, sewage waste, choked city drainage, traffic issues, safety, robberies—and now one more unsafe drinking water.

High TDS of Drinking water in India leads to death.
  • Indore, MP: supplying contaminated water through its taps, killed more than 15 people, 32 ICU admissions, over 100 admitted and around 1,100 sick at home. 
  • In high court petition, Lab tests (MGM Hospital) confirm deadly fecal coliform, E.coli, Vibrio, protozoa—sewage bacteria in drinking supply. Pipes showed dirty water like sewage; cholera-causing germs. Symptoms: vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, cardiac arrest, sepsis.
  • But Urban Development & Housing Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya (Indore-MLA) called reporter’s questions about quality of drinking water “useless” and “ghanta”.

Major Cases of Recent Water contamination in India

India faces repeating urban water crises from pipe leaks, poor maintenance, and sewage crossover, affecting even “model” cities. Here are the complete details:

CityDateDetailsImpact 
Indore
(Madhya Pradesh)
Dec 2025–Jan 2026Sewage leaked into main pipeline under public toilet.
E.coli, cholera bacteria confirmed.
Residents reported foul smell for 2+ months.
9–16 deaths (incl. infant); 200–1,400+ ill;
142 hospitalized
(32 ICU);
mayor/officials suspended.
Gandhinagar
(Gujarat)
Early Jan 2026Sewage contamination;
typhoid outbreak hits children.
100+ kids hospitalized; ongoing crisis.
Bengaluru
(Karnataka)
Early Jan 2026Similar sewage in drinking supply;
health alerts.
Widespread illness reports;
emergency response.
Gurgaon (Sector 70A)
(Delhi-NCR)
Dec 2025Piped water contamination;
patchy supply risks.
Multiple cases; part of national pattern.
Pune
(Maharashtra)
Late 2025Contaminated municipal supply;
recent outbreak.
Hospitalizations from gastrointestinal issues.
Delhi
(Shahdara,
East Vinod Nagar)
Jan 2026Smelly “black” sewage-mixed water for years; renewed fears.Chronic complaints;
no deaths specified yet.
Hyderabad
(Telangana)
Jan 2026highly polluted.Affects 600 MGD supply;
health risks rising.
Mahisagar
(Gujarat)
Recent (2025)Jaundice from borewell/municipal contamination.Outbreak confirmed.
Tiruvallur
(Tamil Nadu)
Recent (2025)Waterborne diseases traced to supplies.Local hospitalizations.
OdishaJan 2026Jaundice outbreak linked to urban water failures.Systemic governance issues highlighted. 

So, from these incidents we should keep in mind that we shouldn’t depend on the government for your personal health. Treat basics like water, health and education also as our personal duty—beyond Bread, Clothes and Home. Otherwise, more mothers wail losing families. Don’t wait for personal loss; act proactively. 

To continue this further first we should know what should be the TDS of Drinking water that is safe for Drinking? So. lets understand some of the basics first.

What is TDS of Drinking Water?

TDS stands for Total Dissolved Solids, which is a simple way to measure all the tiny stuff—like salts, minerals, and metals—dissolved in water that you can’t see with your naked eye.

Pure water has no “flavor,” but as it flows through rocks, soil, or pipes, it picks up natural minerals (calcium, magnesium), salts (sodium chloride), or even pollutants.

TDS counts all these dissolved particles in parts per million (ppm)—like saying “500 ppm” means 500 milligrams of stuff in 1 liter of water. A cheap handheld TDS meter checks this instantly.

Complete Table of Levels of TDS of Drinking water

Why TDS of Drinking Water Matters?

  • Low TDS (under 50 ppm): Tastes flat, like distilled water; might pull minerals from your body.
  • Good TDS (50-300 ppm): Sweet, balanced taste with healthy minerals—perfect for daily use (matches WHO/Indian BIS ideal).
  • High TDS (over 500 ppm): Salty or bitter; can upset stomach, form kidney stones, or signal heavy metals/bacteria (like Indore crisis).

Recent urban outbreaks show TDS alone doesn’t catch germs (E.coli), so test full water quality.

How to Measure TDS of Drinking Water at Home?

Measure TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) at home using a simple handheld digital meter—the easiest and most accurate method for drinking water.

How to check TDS of Drinking water at home.

Step-by-Step with TDS Meter (INR 200-500 Device)

  1. Buy a digital TDS meter (pen-like device)
  2. Remove protective cap and turn ON (some auto-start).
  3. Rinse probes in clean water; shake off excess.
  4. Dip probes fully into a glass of your water (up to max mark; stir gently to remove bubbles).
  5. Wait 10-20 seconds for stable reading (in ppm; multiply by 10 if “x10” shows).
  6. Note value (e.g., 250 ppm);
  7. Rinse/dry meter. ​​

How to improve quality of tap water at your home?

Improve tap water quality at home using simple, affordable methods suited for Indian conditions, especially amid contamination risks like Indore.

Quick No-Cost Methods

  • Boiling: Fill pot with tap water, boil vigorously for 5-20 minutes (kills 99% bacteria/viruses). Cool, skim debris. Best for daily use.
Boiling water for 5-20 minutes is the best option to improve the quality of Drinking water.
  • Solar Disinfection (SODIS): Fill clear PET bottle, shake to aerate, expose to direct sun 6 hours (UV kills germs). Free for sunny India.
  • Settling + Cloth Filter: Let water sit 30 mins (sediment settles), pour through muslin/coffee filter. Repeat for clarity.

Best Long-Term Solutions

MethodHow It WorksCost (₹)Best For 
RO + UV PurifierRO removes TDS/heavy metals;
UV kills microbes; carbon improves taste.
8,000-20,000 +
annual service
High TDS/bacteria
(e.g., Delhi/Gurgaon tap).
UF + Carbon FilterUltrafiltration blocks bacteria/viruses;
carbon cuts chlorine/odor
No electricity.
2,000-5,000Low TDS,
microbial removal.
Gravity/Candle FilterCeramic candles trap impurities;
silver kills germs.
1,000-3,000Basic purification without power.
DistillationBoil and condense steam (DIY pot-lid setup).500 (DIY)Pure water,
but slow/
energy-heavy.

Some more tips:

  • Store Water in copper vessels (natural antibacterial).
  • Chlorinate emergency: Add 2-4 drops unscented 5% bleach per liter, wait 30 mins (faint chlorine smell).
  • Avoid: Plastic bottles long-term; untested borewell.
  • RO/UV—service yearly.

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