TDS Readings in the Bay Area ?

[mike1962]

Hello Everyone,

Well, I'm moving to Albany this weekend, and started thinking about how I'm going to be setting up my tank, RODI unit, etc. So it got me to wondering what TDS readings people are getting around the Bay Area. I'm currently in Woodland, near Davis, and the average TDS reading for me is about 500+, with episodes into the 700's!!!! It's tough on the RO membrane! Also, I'm not currently on metered water, so I have no idea what water costs are like. My tank is only a 28g, so it won't be too bad, but still, just curious.

 

[sfsuphysics]

TDS will vary greatly depending upon the local in the bay area, however I wouldn't expect anywhere close to 500+, perhaps the Woodland/Davis area water is well water? Perhaps lots of farm stuff leeching in?

 

[seminolecpa]

Mine is in the 30's to 40's but I am sure East Bay is drastically different.

 

[iani]

From what I know the Albany area is fed by hetchy hetchy. Your tds should be similar to Bryans.

 

[mike1962]

Thanks guys! I figured that there would be some variation, which is why I was curious what people were getting from various areas.

Iani, I hope you're right, that would be great!

Mike, you are correct, Woodland is off of well water and yes, nitrates (not a TDS) are always high (40ppm+) which I assume is from fertilizer seeping into the groundwater. The Davis/Woodland area is also known to have high levels of Boron amongst other things. pH out of the tap is around 8.1 to 8.3. The Calcium Carbonates are really bad and I have to replace my showerhead about every year (and it's usually pretty bad by that point!)

 

[Mr. Ugly]

Just checked my tapwater here in Alameda... 36ppm.

 

[Paradox]

Mines usually in the 30s in Portrero area of SF

 

[mike1962]

Thanks Mr. Ugly and Paradox!

Do you know if the water source for Alameda is the same for the rest of the East Bay? Just curious.

 

[xinumaster]

225 here in san jose. You guys are lucky.

 

[Elite]

[quote author=xinumaster link=topic=3868.msg45267#msg45267 date=1213161579]
225 here in san jose. You guys are lucky.
[/quote]
you are lucky too.. 400-500 in my area. >

 

[mike1962]

Sorry to hear that Elite, I do know what it is like.

What part of the Bay Area are in (if you don't mind my asking)?

 

[Elite]

south SJ.. xinumaster is in SJ too but another/richer part of SJ .. LOL

 

[Mr. Ugly]

Mike, you might check here:

http://www.ebmud.com

 

[sfsuphysics]

Old galvanized water pipes and an old water delivery system in the pipes under the ground can make a nice TDS turn to a not so nice TDS. I don't get anywhere close to 30 TDS in SF like Daniel, and being as I've tested right at the source coming into my house, it's not because of my internal pipes.

 

[sid700]

EBMUD serves Alameda and Albany.

 

[mike1962]

Thank you everyone for the input. This at least gives me some hope that it's possible to have a fairly low TDS.

 

[GreshamH]

200 or so for me at times, less in the summer though

 

[bad coffee]

here in NYC I have ~38ppm and I don't use RO, I only use DI resin. (I buy it in bulk so it's about $6 per change)

B

 

[mike1962]

Well, that's what I'm considering, is going only DI if the TDS is low enough. I'll have to do a cost analysis to see what the difference would be for paying a water bill with or w/o RO vs. the extra cost of DI used to do it without RO. I've never been on metered water, so this is going to be a new one for me.