Can you recommend a water tester?

[Thor]

I've been using store-bought drinking water for brewing, and want to use my own water. However, we have very hard water here, so I am cautious. I want to have my water completely tested, that is, to get some report on my water that shows all minerals, chlorine, etc. This will help me understand if, for example, filtering alone is sufficient to use my water for brewing, or if I need something else, like an osmosis system.

Does anyone have a good, afforable water testing resource (e.g. a mail-in place) they recommend?

I don't want to refer to the water company, as I want to know the specific composition of the water coming from my tap.

Thanks, all.

 

[AHammer16]

Do you have well or city water? If you have city water the numbers they have are pretty comprehensive. Also be aware the the values fluctuate from week to week but not much to be concerned about. I am looking for recources now for water testing.

 

[vtfan99]

Im interested in this as well. I have city/county water, but apparently Im fed from a particular "system", which is fed by about 5-6 wells. Some guy at the water works place sent me the numbers from each well, but that really doesn't tell me whats coming out of my tap. I thought about taking a simple average, but who knows if all wells feed the "system" equally.

If you guys find anything, a home test kit, mail-in place, or some sort of testing strip (like pH), please let me know.

 

[Thor]

Do you have well or city water?

I am in a rural part of north Texas, and get water from a local cooperative. I know they publish numbers, but I am very interested in getting readings from my home faucet, not from their reports.

The fact is, my tap water tastes awful, even when filtered via Britta, so I want to know what I need to do to fix that for brewing, etc. I know it is, at least in part, a mineral problem, as we have the telltale signs of such a problem - frosted glassware, deposits on faucets, pans, etc. Ugh!

 

[AHammer16]

Underwriters labs has testing. look here.

http://www.uldrinkwell.com/

looks like the have a home sampling kit that you send to them. I'm sure if you call them they can reccomend a larger battery of tests.


Also you could consider getting a reverse osmosis system. They are expensive but if you have the money. I have one at my work that just makes about 5 gallons a day and i think it cost around 200-300 dollars. After it has gone through the filtering system it is pretty neutral, so you can emulate any places water just by adding the minerals. Could be all sorts of fun, if you have the time, patience and money.

 

[Beer Snob]

Just go to a petstore that sells fish stuff. They have water tester kits that should tell you everything you need.... perhaps someone can confirm this, but these testers are pretty complete.