
Understanding Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) in Your Home’s Water Supply
We’ve all heard of “hard water.” Most homeowners consider it a mild annoyance. But your home’s water hardness can make a huge difference, from the taste of your tap water to the longevity of your plumbing system and appliances. That’s why it’s so important to understand the level of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) in your home’s water system.
As part of every plumbing visit, our Goettl technicians measure your water’s total dissolved solids level to gain a better picture of your plumbing’s overall health. Understanding the problems associated with hard water, what TDS levels are, how and why we test for them, and what average and ideal TDS levels are for your household.
What are Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)?
Total dissolved solids (TDS) is the measure of how many minerals, metals, and salts are present in your household’s tap water. In other words, it’s a measure of how “hard” your water is. The higher the concentration of TDS, the harder your water is.
As water moves through soil and rock, it can pick up certain minerals, salts, and metals along the way. Naturally occurring minerals like calcium and magnesium are easily dissolved by flowing water. Other sources like agricultural run-off, industrial or petrochemical pollutants, or salt used to de-ice roads are also absorbed into the water as it passes.
All these particulates are carried through into the groundwater supply, which is then drawn from to provide tap water for households. When enough of these minerals are dissolved into your water supply, leading to a high concentration of TDS, you’ll start to notice that you have “hard water” due to certain problems that will arise.
Hard Water Problems
Even without measuring the total dissolved solid levels in your household water supply, there are certain signs that will tell you if you have hard water. Some signs that you have hard water include:
- A mineral or metallic taste in your tap water.
- Stubborn stains in laundry.
- Crusty, white mineral buildup around you faucets and drains.
- A thick film of soap scum on the walls of your shower or tub.
- Spotting or a film on your glassware coming out of the dishwasher.
- A residue left on your skin or hair when you wash that causes dryness.
While these are all annoying issues to deal with, hard water problems don’t stop at extra clean up and extra moisturizing.

High TDS levels can also cause significant issues with your pipes and home appliances that can shorten the lifespan of both and lead to serious plumbing issues. High TDS levels cause mineral build up and corrosion, which over time can:
- Clog water supply and drain lines.
- Damage pipes, electrical components, fixtures, and gaskets.
- Build up on internal components, like heating coils or dishwasher arms.
In other words, any household appliance that uses water, such as your dishwasher, washing machine, or water heater, will need repair or replacement sooner in a house with a high concentration of total dissolved solids.
The same goes for your household plumbing system, including your sewer lines. This leads to more frequent plumbing repair calls, which can really add up in terms of time, hassle, and expense.
Ensuring water quality is an essential part of providing the best service for Goettl’s customers, which is why we always are a carry a Total Dissolved Solids meter, and measure TDS levels as part of any plumbing visit. Knowing the concentration of total dissolved solids in your household water gives Goettl’s technicians a better idea of what issues to look for on a plumbing call so that we can serve you better. We’ll also get some insight into what plumbing problems may arise on future calls and how to prevent them.
How TDS Levels Are Measured
Measuring the levels of total dissolved solids in your household tap water is done with a device known as a TDS meter.
A handheld TDS meter like the ones we use at Goettl on every plumbing call measures the electrical conductivity of your household tap water in order to determine the concentration of total dissolved solids.
Unlike pure water, which is a poor conductor, dissolved solids carry a certain electrical charge. Thus, a higher electrical charge in the tap water means a higher TDS level. Besides measuring your tap water’s TDS level as part of every plumbing call we go on, we also test your water’s purity to ensure there are no harmful contaminants in your drinking water that may affect your health.
What are Average TDS Levels?
The concentration of total dissolved solids in your tap water plays a crucial role in both your water’s taste, and its quality. The higher the concentration of TDS, the greater the water hardness issues mentioned previously.
The average TDS level in the United States’ drinking water supply is about 350 ppm (parts per million.) In general, the EPA recommends that you stay below 500 ppm in your tap water. However, a higher TDS level isn’t necessarily dangerous for your health. Las Vegas, for example, has a TDS level of 642 ppm.
Anything above 500 ppm will have an effect on the water’s taste, and will shorten the lifespan of your pipes and appliances.
If we find that you have higher-than-average TDS levels, we may recommend scheduling a routine plumbing maintenance visit. Our technicians will perform a thorough inspection to check the health of your plumbing, sewer, and appliances.
We’ll make sure that mineral buildup from hard water isn’t blocking your water lines or causing damage to delicate internal components in your water heater, dishwasher, or washing machine. If they are, we can clear those out so that your pipes and appliances don’t have to be repaired or replaced prematurely. We’re also happy to answer any questions you have. Ensuring water quality is an essential part of providing the best service for Goettl’s customers. That’s why we incorporate TDS measurements and water purity test kits on every plumbing call.
How to Solve Hard Water Problems
If your household tap water has high TDS levels, the best way to lower them is to install a Reverse Osmosis system. A reverse osmosis system is one of the most effective water filtration systems. It significantly reduces your TDS levels by using pressure to filter minerals, salts, and other contaminants out of your tap water through a micron filter. This leaves only pure water flowing through your household pipes and faucets.
A reverse osmosis system installed in your house can lower your TDS levels to under 50 ppm, and sometimes even as low as 20 ppm. That means cleaner glassware, better tasting tap water, and increased longevity and functionality for your household pipes and appliances. If you’re considering installing a reverse osmosis system for your home, call Goettl for a free consultation. We offer upfront, flexible pricing and a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all our work.
Whether you need help with a household plumbing issue, routine plumbing maintenance on your pipes and fixtures, or 24/7 emergency plumbing repair, we’re always a phone call away. When it comes to your household plumbing, don’t settle. Call Goettl.
Testimonials
What Our Customers Say About Us




Goettl is not cheap, although their service visit is very inexpensive, their quotes are almost always considerably higher. The service from an employee like Gilbert, however, is the sole reason why I would even consider entertaining a higher cost.

you Goettl!













William came out for warranty work in September and quickly got our issue diagnosed and up and working again. It's always scary when your AC goes out in Texas, so I appreciate the effort to get the work done and resolved quickly.


Recommend Highly!

He certainly understands what Customer Service is all about!
Joey was on time, well-mannered, and very professional. He took care of our problem, took time to explain all aspects of the project in detail, and left the work area nice and clean.
We will definitely utilize Goettl’s services in the future, as needed and have nothing but the highest praise for Joey Martin!


Tai Fernandez-Estabillo, service rep is excellent. I deal with a lot of contractors in my student housing operation and he is at the top of his field. Proud to know him. Thanks fir the professional service Tai.





A super valuable employee to have, THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH SHANE!!!!! 5 STARS FOR SURE!🥳





I would recommend him.


Update: December 2025: Kaelyn Nuss did a great job with our annual plumbing service!




Junior and Anthony just came out to finish the hvac job in my complicated 106 year old house. They were kind and professional, just all round great young me who know their craft. My heat works great and i do not have to go into the attic anymore to change the filters.




Thermostat. Stopped working on Monday night 10/20 /2025. GOETTL Tech. Kevin Andrew text to notify me of his ETA. Was very punctual. Explain what the problem was, he checked it out , went up to attic and found the problem. Explain to me the issues that was causing the A/C Thermostat to turn off. Went into detail explaining to me what was causing the A/C Thermostat to turn off. He was very professionalc and ourteous.
Thank you Kevin... Blessings

Explained everything clearly and was very respectful..
Thanks for a job well done Frank.




















As usual we are very satisfied with Goettl





Jeremy come out and fixed a loose wire, had me cooled off in seconds.





















I had such a good experience with Goettl the last time, that I decided to use them again for HVAC. Kevin was the technician assigned to my job. He was very professional and provided me with a thorough and accurate diagnosis. He patiently explained everything to me and walked me through the recommended repairs and even shared alternative solutions. I have the information I need and feel comfortable moving forward. I’m in good hands. I will be requesting him as my technician for all future calls.

Like most people, I typically search for the cheapest service I can find, and I end up having other plumbers come out to check out issues with my tankless water heater, who run their mouths, upsell parts (that don't seem to be causing the problem), and generally don't really know enough about tankless water heaters. This time, I decided to go with an experienced company with a good reputation, and I am glad that I did - Goettl's prices are very reasonable and worth the service they provide.
Juan, was very knowledgeable, patient, and persistent. Even better, he was careful and humble enough to acknowledge that he didn't know everything and checked with the manufacturer at every step. Juan spent a great deal of time helping me diagnose the problem (which always seems impossible to ascertain quickly with machines like tankless water heaters), and went above and beyond to ensure that my guests and I had hot water tonight.
Juan never got frustrated; he handled everything carefully and made sure to clean up after himself when he was done. If I can have Juan take care of all of my plumbing or AC issues in the future, I will. And if you're reading reviews to decide whether to call Goettl for your issue, I would encourage you to trust their service and experience. My experience with Juan was definitely memorable.
We now have hot water again. Can I get a "hell yeah"?








We had a concerning plumbing issue, and Geo was able to diagnose the problem with impressive speed and accuracy. What I really appreciated was that he took the time to clearly explain what was wrong, showed me what he was looking at, and gave me honest, practical advice on the best solution.
He had the issue resolved in no time at all. The whole experience was seamless, from the quick scheduling to the efficient and high-quality work. It’s so refreshing to find a technician who is not only a master of his craft but also a genuinely kind and trustworthy person.
A huge thank you to Geo and the entire team at Goettl. You have a customer for life! If you need a plumber, ask for Geo—you’ll be in the best hands

We had a concerning plumbing issue, and Geo was able to diagnose the problem with impressive speed and accuracy. What I really appreciated was that he took the time to clearly explain what was wrong, showed me what he was looking at, and gave me honest, practical advice on the best solution.
He had the issue resolved in no time at all. The whole experience was seamless, from the quick scheduling to the efficient and high-quality work. It’s so refreshing to find a technician who is not only a master of his craft but also a genuinely kind and trustworthy person.
A huge thank you to Geo and the entire team at Goettl. You have a customer for life! If you need a plumber, ask for Geo—you’ll be in the best hands








Call Goettl and was able to get us on the schedule due to a cancellation they had.
Jef Eusepi our tech was fantastic.
He explained everything and showed us pictures of what he was doing and fixing.
Would definitely recommend this Company and Jef.
















A special shout-out goes to Pablo, our technician. He was on time, friendly, and extremely knowledgeable. Pablo took the time to explain everything he was checking, walked me through the condition of each component, and gave helpful tips on how to keep our system running efficiently year-round. His attention to detail and pride in his work really stood out. Because of his professionalism and the overall quality of service, Goettl has definitely earned my trust and future business.
Highly recommend Goettl HVAC—and if you can, ask for Pablo!

I have seen Goettl vans all over town and so I called them.
Got appointment right away and the Technician, Jef Eusepi, took care of our problem.











Thank you,
Greg Sanches





















This past week our service technician was Andrew Morgan and he is such a friendly, knowledgeable, and skilled technician. He spent time making sure the job was done correctly and he explained it in terms that I could understand. Not only is our unit functioning even better than before, I also gained knowledge of how the system works.













I highly recommend Goettl as this is the second time l've used them in less than a year. (2 seperate issues)... and I highly recommend them..anytime and anyday.
They have exceeded to top any expectations I could have ever had with any company.


Jerry also noticed our water pressure was low after flushing toilet then trying to wash hands in bathroom sink which were so he suggested a new pressure regulator as we have had a new better water conditioning system installed. We now have the best water pressure even when using a shower and kitchen sink faucet at the same time. Also Jerry is a master plumber and we appreciate his knowledge and experience. Will definitely call Goettl again when a plumber is needed.
Ralph & Kathy Lesmeister







The company is installing a tankless heater and the customer service is outstanding.
I recommend Geottl to all!


They made sure my carpet was covered and when they were all through they cleaned up perfectly
I would recommend your company to anyone looking to put in a new air conditioner.
Thank you so much for all you did for me.
Sincerely, June Jones

And I would highly recommend the company and the quality technicians like Jarod.
Jarod is the go to if you want excellent
Customer service and communication for any AC related issues. He is very knowledgeable, personable and trustworthy. I am grateful and satisfied.






They listened to my issue, were very through, checked for leaks, etc. I’ve lived in Lakeway for 30 years, used MANY local plumbers - but Goettl will definitely get all my business moving forward. HIGHLY recommend!
Ty, Wil & Adrian!

Everyone from the Goettl sales representative Christian, Tech / Advisor Josias recommended a HVAC A/C and Heating system replacement. Technicians team Veronica and her partner.



