Canadian tire TDS meter

[mike31154]

Don't forget that depending on where you are in Vernon/Coldstream the source of your water will be different. Duteau Creek source is known for turbidity issues, but my water comes from the North Kal Lake intake. Good numbers for calcium/magnesium and pH isn't bad either. According to the Greater Vernon Water stats, the TDS at the North Kal Lake intake as of 14 July 08 was 238. Obviously there's some filtration/treatment downstream of that.

Additional numbers:
Hardness (CaCO3) 152
pH 7.8
Nitrate 0.069
Magnesium 9.8
Calcium 40.6

Of course these numbers are subject to change, but I would think Kal Lake is pretty stable as compared to Duteau Creek. Check the Greater Vernon Services site for info on the other sources. And I'm pretty sure the instruments used to tabulate these numbers are more accurate than anything available to the average aquarist.