Dallas Water Analysis and Question - Page 2

BetterSense · 08-02-2011, 07:46 PM

I live in Richardson very near Garland; can someone share the Garland water report? And also tell me what it means because I have no idea...

**DeafSmith** · 08-02-2011, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetterSense

I live in Richardson very near Garland; can someone share the Garland water report? And also tell me what it means because I have no idea...

I believe Richardson and Garland (and several other towns, but NOT Dallas) all get their water from the North Texas Municipal Water District and I suspect the reports will all be the same as the NTMWD reports I have linked in my earlier posts above. As for what it means, it is a complicated subject - a good starting point is to read the chapter in "How to Brew" by John Palmer. If you don't have the book (3rd edition), the first edition is online - the water chapter is here:
http://www.howtobrew.com/section3/chapter15.html

There are some who don't completely agree with the mineral levels that Palmer lists as desirable. For another viewpoint, see this thread:

http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f128/brewing-water-chemistry-primer-198460/

**DeafSmith** · 08-02-2011, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DD2000GT

I got the report at home, I'll check and post up later, but that sounds about right from what I saw on my last report. To be honest I am not a pro at water evaluation - got the Palmer book and was using his cheat sheet chart to determine what style beers work best with my water profile.

I'd be interested to know if your report lists the same number for bicarbonates (mg/L) and total alkalinity (mg/L as CaCO3) like the North Texas Municipal Water District reports do - I would expect a 61/50 ratio between the two numbers.

ReverseApacheMaster · 08-02-2011, 10:07 PM

I live in Keller. Our water is worse than Dallas but definitely better suited for dark beer than lighter beers. Our biggest issue is the high level of chlorine/chloramine that has to be dealt with.

DD2000GT · 08-04-2011, 10:57 AM

Sorry for the delay. My report shows bicarbonates at 112, MG at 6.51, CA at 52.1, and total alkalinity at 91.9 mg/l as CaCo3. This is the treated numbers not the raw. According to my report, if I did not modify the water at all, it puts my base PH at 5.8 and about a 20 SRM color brew for the best type (Brown) based on Palmer's handy dandy chart. Luckily, that is my favorite style.

**DeafSmith** · 08-04-2011, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DD2000GT

Sorry for the delay. My report shows bicarbonates at 112, MG at 6.51, CA at 52.1, and total alkalinity at 91.9 mg/l as CaCo3. This is the treated numbers not the raw. According to my report, if I did not modify the water at all, it puts my base PH at 5.8 and about a 20 SRM color brew for the best type (Brown) based on Palmer's handy dandy chart. Luckily, that is my favorite style.

I don't know when you got your report, but those numbers are very close to the online NTMWD numbers for June, 2011 in the link I posted earlier. Those numbers are: HCO3 = 106, Mg = 4.17, Ca = 50.5, Total Alk. as CaCO3 = 106 (I believe this one is wrong - it should be 50/61 (106) = 87 if the HCO3 number is correct).

**Jimbob** · 10-13-2011, 03:00 PM

I just moved into Dallas from Austin, I'm off of Mockingbird and Greenville. I'm planning on brewing this or next weekend glad I found this post on the water I've been having fits trying to get through to someone at the city of Dallas to ask what the mineral counts are. Thanks for the help (without me even having to as)!!!

I'm planning on sending a couple of samples off to Ward Labs in the next week or so. Once I get the results back I'll post them up.

Jimbob

asdtexas · 10-13-2011, 04:24 PM

i am still here if it helps i live in university park

Using the numbers that i reported, the brown beers do best but we need to boost calcium i have had great luck with pale lagers by adjusting around the report and feel it is close enough to dial in your water
hope this helps

**Jimbob** · 10-13-2011, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asdtexas

i am still here if it helps i live in university park

Using the numbers that i reported, the brown beers do best but we need to boost calcium i have had great luck with pale lagers by adjusting around the report and feel it is close enough to dial in your water
hope this helps

asdtexas
We should get together and hangout. I would really like to find some folks to share my beer with and possibly do some brew days together. Drop me a PM and lets see if we can work something out.

**tealio** · 01-22-2012, 04:52 PM

Jimbob-

Were you able to complete that ward labs water test a few months ago ?

Would love I check it out before I send in my own.