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How to Test Your Water

Understanding TDS, pH drops, and comprehensive laboratory analysis.

The Misunderstood TDS Meter

The most common tool bought by homeowners is a cheap RM20 digital TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) meter. It simply measures the electrical conductivity of the water, calculating how many parts per million (PPM) of dissolved solids exist.

The Trap: A TDS meter cannot distinguish between healthy calcium and deadly lead. A glass filled with 150 PPM of healthy minerals will look identical on a TDS meter to a glass filled with 150 PPM of toxic heavy metals. Never use a TDS meter to determine if water is "safe" to drink. Its only true purpose is to verify if your RO membrane is functioning correctly.

DIY At-Home Test Kits

For basic knowledge, you can purchase chemical strip tests online. You dip a paper strip into a glass of water, and watch the colors change. These are relatively accurate for measuring:

  • Free Chlorine (checking if your carbon filter is expired)
  • pH levels (Hardness/alkalinity)
  • Nitrates (fertilizer runoff, particularly for well water)

When to Use an Accredited Laboratory

If you live in a house with lead pipes (built before 1986 in the US, or with unknown infrastructure in Malaysia), or if you rely on private well water, DIY strips are not precise enough. You must send a sealed vial of water to an accredited third-party laboratory. For around RM300, they will use mass spectrometry to provide a molecular breakdown of every heavy metal and pesticide in your water.