AWWA JAW26638 ✓ Most Recent

This article reviews the American Water Works Association Statement of Policy on Drinking Water Quality and the US Environmental Protection Agency standard for total dissolved solids (TDS) in drinking water. Data from the California Mineral Taste Study (CMTS), which established a functional relationship between TDS and taste quality assessed by consumers and taste-panel members, are summarized. The CMTS data indicate that for mineral content a TDS of 450 mg/L will result in a good quality water and that a TDS of 80 mg/L will result in an excellent quality water. A cost comparison between systemwide demineralization and the purchase of bottled water by individual consumers shows that systemwide demineralization may be less costly to the residential consumer. Such information, when developed for a particular utility, can be presented to the community and used to make an informed decision regarding systemwide water treatment for reducing TDS to levels consistent with good or excellent water quality. Includes 29 references, tables, figure. See more