Bad Practice Doesn't Make Perfect

[sremed60]

I decided to try and learn about my tap water to see if I could adjust it to a decent brewing profile rather than buying RO. Step one, I sent for the city water report which is attached.

Before I waste a lot of precious time trying to understand everything contained in this report I was hoping someone who already understands this stuff would glance at this report and tell me if there's anything in it that pertains to brewing beer?

I started reading up on different water profiles for brewing and trying to learn how the Ca+2, Mg+2, HCO3-1, SO4-2, Na+1, and Cl-1 elements affect different aspects. The water report I received from the city doesn't seem to list any of those things. Are they listed in a different way, or are there calculations I need to do to figure them out, or is this report completely useless from a brewers perspective?

In the email she sent she stated that the average hardness for my area is 7.5 grains.

 

[JonM]

Yep, that's not what you need. Try calling the water utility and ask them how you can find out the levels of calcium, etc. I'm sure they have it on file somewhere and can guide you to it online or email it to you.

 

[phug]

what you have is only the bit that ensures that they are in line with water safety guidelines. They MAY or May not do testing for things that are purely from an aesthetics / flavour perspective. or they may have it and not publish it normally since it's not necessary to prove that the water is safe to drink

good news though, your Uranium intake appears to be well within the maximum daily intake! YAY!

 

[d3track]

Tell them you're a brewer - Minneapolis has a ready to go sheet since they get asked often. Otherwise I think Bru'n water has an outline on what to ask, as does the water book.