Trying to learn the water portion

[arcorey]

Recently I took a sample of my water from a spring source that I use to be tested by a local brewery. They offered and it was free, so figured why not? This is what I was sent back.

Total Hardness - 278ppm
Ca Hardness - 148ppm
Alkalinity - 0ppm
pH - 7.04
Free Chlorine - 4ppb
Total Chlorine - 12ppb
Iron - 9ppb
Free Copper - 36ppb
Total Copper - 52ppb

When I went to enter this info into some of the brewing water spreadsheets, I notice much different categories. Is this information usable to me in it's current format, or do I just need to pay Ward's to do a sample for me? I have this info and a pH meter and not sure where to go in connecting the dots. I'd like to be a better brewer than just a guy that throws gypsum in my tun just because.

 

[ajdelange]

I think you got your money's worth. 0 alkalinity against 278 ppm total hardness can only mean that you have 5.56 mEq of sulfate and chloride which isn't very likely and not something you can check on as neither chloride or sulfate was reported. Give Ward Labs a shot at it.

 

[arcorey]

That's what I figured. Oh well, it was worth a shot for the price. Will proceed with Wards.