Which factor greatly influences the conductivity of water?

The conductivity of water is primarily influenced by total dissolved salts, or ions, present in the water. Conductivity refers to the ability of water to conduct electric current, which is directly related to the concentration of ions in the water. When salts dissolve, they break down into positive and negative ions, which increase the number of charged particles available to carry electrical current. Therefore, a higher concentration of dissolved salts leads to higher conductivity levels.

In contrast, while temperature can affect the mobility of ions and potentially influence conductivity, it does not determine the concentration of ions present in a solution. The presence of organic compounds generally does not contribute to conductivity to the same extent as ionic compounds do. Lastly, while pH levels can provide insights into the acidity or alkalinity of water, they are not a direct measure of the ionic content and thus have a minimal effect on conductivity compared to the total dissolved ions.