As consumers become more discerning about their food and beverage choices, understanding water quality metrics becomes increasingly important. NWB Finland Oy, the company behind AINA Natural Water, is shedding light on Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), a measurement that can tell consumers about the mineral composition and taste profile of their drinking water.
TDS measures the concentration of dissolved substances in water, including naturally occurring minerals and salts such as calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, bicarbonates, chlorides, and sulfates. The amount and composition can vary significantly depending on where water originates and what it encounters along the way. Marita Weiman, Quality Assurance Manager at NWB Finland Oy, explains, "TDS gives consumers another way to understand the characteristics of the water they're drinking. Water may look the same in a glass, but its mineral composition and taste profile can be very different depending on its source."
Expressed in milligrams per liter (mg/L), TDS levels indicate the presence of dissolved substances. However, TDS alone should not be interpreted as a measure of health or safety. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency lists TDS under its National Secondary Drinking Water Regulations, which address aesthetic qualities like taste, odor, and appearance rather than health-based standards.
The World Health Organization notes that dissolved solids can affect the taste of drinking water, and the types and concentrations of minerals present can influence the drinking experience. This is where TDS becomes particularly interesting for consumers. "Consumers often describe water as soft, crisp, mineral, salty, or even metallic without necessarily knowing why," Weiman said. "Mineral composition is one of the factors that can contribute to those differences. That's why we believe understanding TDS can help consumers become more informed about something they consume every day."
AINA Natural Water, sourced from the Pudasjärvi region of Northern Finland, provides an example of naturally low-TDS water. It contains approximately 32 mg/L of TDS, contributing to a soft, neutral taste and clean finish. The groundwater is naturally filtered through layers of soil, sand, and rock before being mechanically filtered and packaged. "We want AINA to taste like what it is: natural water from Northern Finland," Weiman said. "The low TDS is not something we've engineered into the water. It's one of the measurable characteristics of the source."
As NWB Finland Oy expands into the United States, the company believes education is key to helping consumers look beyond packaging and marketing claims. "People are becoming much more interested in where their food and beverages come from and what they contain," Weiman said. "Water should be no different. Understanding measurements like TDS gives consumers one more piece of information they can use when comparing the choices available to them."
AINA Natural Water is preparing to become available to U.S. consumers through OneLavi.com. For more information, visit ainanaturalwater.fi and nwb.fi.
