What it is
Conductivity measures how well the water conducts electricity, which depends on the total amount of dissolved salts and minerals in it. It is a simple, fast indicator of overall mineral content, reported in microsiemens per centimetre.
Where it comes from
Minerals dissolve into water from the rocks it passes through, so conductivity varies naturally from very low in upland peaty water to high in chalk groundwater. Unusually high values can point to saline intrusion near the coast, road salt, or contamination from agriculture or industry.
Why it matters
Conductivity has no direct health meaning; the guideline is set at a level above which taste and scale become noticeable. Its value is as a screening test: a change from previous results tells you something in the supply has changed and the individual minerals are worth looking at.
What can be done about it
If conductivity is high because of hardness, a softener addresses it. If it is high because of salts or other dissolved minerals, reverse osmosis is the treatment that removes them. A Pozzani engineer will interpret conductivity alongside the other results rather than treat it in isolation.
Information last reviewed 5 October 2026 by Pozzani Pure Water.