The sum total of foreign matter present in water is termed as 'total solids'. Total solids is the matter that remains as residue after evaporation of the sample and its subsequent drying at a defined temperature (103 to 105 °C).
Total solids consist of volatile (organic) and non-volatile (inorganic or fixed) solids. Further, solids are divided into suspended and dissolved solids. Solids that can settle by gravity are settleable solids. The others are non-settleable solids. IS acceptable limit for total solids is 500 mg/L and tolerable limit is 3000 mg/L of dissolved limits.