City Water Report

[mweg]

I have done about a half dozen all grain brews so far, and they have all turned out excellent. However, the more I read on here, the more I worry about water profile and how it might be affecting my beers.

I am currently using city tap water with no additions (many brewers I have talked to here say they successfully use straight city water for everything). I understand that most people here recommend getting a water report from Ward labs or the like, but my city posts a water quality report nearly every day on their website. I feel like this would be far more useful than a sample I take once a year or so, but the problem is I am unsure if the city report contains all the information I need to fill out something like the Bru'n Water spreadsheet or even the EZ Water Calculator.

Here is a link to the water report: https://www.siouxfalls.org/public-works/water-division/water-quality

Would someone be able to help me translate that into some useful info for one of the spreadsheets? Or is it a lost cause? I will also attach a screenshot of today's report so we can keep referencing the same numbers. Thanks in advance for any assistance!

 

[BlueHouseBrewhaus]

You should post this over at the Brew Science forum and let AJ and Martin have a look at it. They may be able to help you fill in some missing info like calcium. Off the top of my head, your pH and hardness are on the high side, which would limit you to darker brews if you don't dilute or adjust your chemistry. Sulfate levels are also high, which can help with hoppier brews. You should definitely be using Camden tablets to get rid of the chloramine/chlorine.

There may be some darker, hoppier brews (Imperial Stout) you could brew with this water unadulterated (but still using Camden tablets). Otherwise, you will probably want to dilute with RO water and adjust per the specific style. I highly recommend the Bru'n Water spreadsheet for calculating water additions. Martin (check the Brew Science forum) wrote it. I'm no chemist and with Bru'n Water, you don't have to be. Check it out.

 

[kjm13]

I pulled something similar off line for my town's water report. When it didn't have all the information I needed I called the town offices, and requested a full report. They sent me a 10 page report with everything I needed. I even ended up emailing the chemist who works for the town's water department when I had follow up questions, and he was very helpful. I recommend contacting the town. I'm sure they could send you everything you need.

 

[EyePeeA]

That's pretty darn good IPA water. The report is missing sodium and magnesium, but they are likely within acceptable levels.

I would think you only need lactic acid to ensure the mash ph is around 5.2 and campden tablets to get rid of the chlorine/chloramines.

 

[brewcat]

Here is my question. If they have turned out excellent, why bother? I've brewed pales and stouts and I haven't noticed anything with my own water. I haven't tried any IPAs...

I need to research this more... In my own situation I don't know how messing with the water profile will actually help. I'll check it someday.