Irrigation Water PPM Checker
Salty irrigation water ruins soil slowly — yields drop year after year and nobody knows why until someone tests the water. Enter your TDS: under 500 PPM is comfortable, over 2,000 is asking for trouble.
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Irrigation Water PPM Checker
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Salty irrigation water ruins soil slowly — yields drop year after year and nobody knows why until someone tests the water. Enter your TDS: under 500 PPM is comfortable, over 2,000 is asking for trouble.
How to use this calculator
- Enter water TDS in PPM.
- See the suitability band.
- Get management tips for your band.
The formula
Bands based on standard irrigation-water salinity guidelines.
What the units mean
PPM (parts per million) — one part of solute per million parts of the total mixture. The workhorse unit for trace concentrations in water, air, and food.
Worked example
Well at 1,200 PPM → usable with salt-tolerant crops and good drainage; leaching needed.
Quick reference
| TDS | Verdict |
|---|---|
| <500 PPM | Excellent |
| 500–1,000 | Good |
| 1,000–2,000 | Use with care |
| >2,000 | Risky |
General bands; crop tolerance varies.
Where you will actually use this
Water quality is the invisible half of every irrigation decision.
- Farm water assessment
- Greenhouse source selection
- Drip system planning
Mistakes that give wrong answers
- Ignoring sodium specifically (SAR matters too)
- No drainage for saline water
Key takeaways
- Formula: Suitability bands for irrigation water quality
- Remember: General bands; crop tolerance varies.
- Watch out for: Ignoring sodium specifically (SAR matters too)
- Next step: run your own numbers in the calculator above, then verify with a measurement — calculated values are only as good as the inputs.
Frequently asked questions
What TDS is safe for irrigation?
Generally below 500–700 PPM; 700–2,000 usable with care.