Tucson, AZ water profile results from water dept.

[saq]

They didn't provide me with bicarbonate/alkalinity, do you think (or anyone else) that I could use 191 ppm from point 238 for point 902?

The numbers between the two sites are all over the place. I don't think you can assume anything.

 

[JuanMoore]

191 is also the average for the whole system, so it would probably get you close, but saq is right, it does vary a lot. I'd call again and get the bicarb levels for your area.

 

[kozydogg]

Talked to the ppl at the water department also. Here is the data for point 902 (Zone 9):

Calcium = 71.50 ppm
Magnesium = 9.0 ppm
Sodium = 62.5 ppm
Chloride = 73.75 ppm
Sulfate = 152.5 ppm
pH = 7.8 S. U.

Hope it helps

Here are the most recent numbers I got:


Calcium = 58 mg/l on 12/10/09
Chlorine = 0.64 mg/l on 12/10/09
Magnesium = 7.4 mg/l on 12/10/09
Sodium = 55 mg/l on 12/10/09
Chloride = 72 mg/l on 12/10/09
Sulfate = 144 mg/l on 12/10/09
Bicarbonate Alkalinity = 104 mg/l on 12/10/09
pH = 8.02 S. U. on 12/10/09

Couple Q's:

should I use these numbers or the year's average? (both zone 9)

for the bicarbonate alkalinity, on the EZ spreadsheet do I click under bicarbonate or alkalinity?

mg/l = ppm right?

 

[saq]

mg/l does = ppm.
You can express alkalinity a few different ways. If you express alkalinity as bicarbonate you can do it in mg/l or ppm. So yes use the bicarbonate figures.

Unless you know what you actually start with you don't know what to actually modify. This is the MAJOR reason I don't bother with tucson city water. If you don't know what you are modifying you don't know what you end up with.

 

[JuanMoore]

1) I'd use the annual avg, unless you want to call and get updated numbers every month.

2) I think you put it under bicarbonate (HCO3). I think the alkalinity on the spreadsheet refers to total alkalinity (CaCO3).

3)Yes

 

[herbler]

Well I appreciate all the interest and insight into the fluctuations in our local swill.
I've gleaned that the general consensus is that it's a good practice to either:

Gas off the chlorine from the water and make water adjustments to the average readings per Chimone...

Or, get some water from Water St Station with the anaylsis sheet and build it up from there per Saq's advise.

I'll try to do some type of experiment using both of the methods in the coming months and post the results.

I'm intrigued with the mystery of water and how it affects the outcome. Maybe two identical batches using extract to eliminate the variables of my goofy all-grain seat-of-the-pants method. Using both methods of course.

If any of you Old Pueblo types have tried this... post up!

 

[beerthirty]

Dont count on either water reports or water analysis if Tuscon is anything like Phoenix. We have many wells and a couple different aquifers. It is very common for the water dept. to "mix and match" at anytime during the year. They might be drawing form one source at one time and mixing from others at another time without a known schedule.

 

[Twofox]

Just started brewing, got my first batch in the secondary.

The guys over at BYO suggested boiling the city water for 30 mins then use that. I've heard that boiling water will harden it up. What do you all think of this method?

Also, letting it sit out overnight to let the chlorine gas off makes sense, but do the chlorimides <sp?> stay behind?

 

[herbler]

Just started brewing, got my first batch in the secondary.

The guys over at BYO suggested boiling the city water for 30 mins then use that. I've heard that boiling water will harden it up. What do you all think of this method?

Also, letting it sit out overnight to let the chlorine gas off makes sense, but do the chlorimides <sp?> stay behind?

I don't believe boiling is necessary, BUT I may try the gas-off method suggested next time I brew.

I have brewed many a beer with water right out of the tap. I believe my beer tastes pretty good.
Saq has suggested other ways to treat the water and after meeting him I would say he is much more advanced than myself. I'll get there eventually.

Welcome to the forum. Get your process down and then work on refining it. If your water (1st batch) tastes good, try brewing with it.

 

[Twofox]

Thanks Herbler.

I boiled the water for the first batch. Had a grain oversteeping/tannin issue I think so waiting for it to age.

heading over to the homebrew club meeting tonite so hopefully I'll get some more opinions on the Old Pueblo Agua

 

[Desert_Sky]

The best beers Ive ever made where from using well water down here in Vista. We really do have a great mineral composition here, we're just a little lacking in the salts area.

 

[AZGringo]

Does anyone know what the water profile is for Vail, AZ??

 

[stealthfixr]

Anyone know the current numbers for Tucson water, especially out near Civano (east)? I've been to the water dept website, but cannot find the info.

 

[bracconiere]

down here in Vista.

a neighbor!

as far as the last post, i get a report once or twice a year in the mail? you don't?

 

[stealthfixr]

Just moved in a few months ago. Howdy, neighbor!

 

[bracconiere]

Just moved in a few months ago. Howdy, neighbor!

If you ever have cause to drive down here, stop by Brew Your Own Beer on the way and pick up 7-8 bags of base malt for me! i'll buy you a bag for the trouble! should last us the same amount of time....lol, last time i bought 6 bags because a buddy goes up there often, only $35 a piece at the time.....then i started malting my own, but i'm getting lazy....

 

[CodeSection]

Anyone know the current numbers for Tucson water, especially out near Civano (east)? I've been to the water dept website, but cannot find the info.

Here you go.....just type in your address to see the report. https://www.tucsonaz.gov/water/mywaterquality/ Though, it gives limited info. Have you considered installing a RO system?

 

[stealthfixr]

Thank you for the link! I am not sure how to use it, as the info Beersmith wants is in a different format (ppm). And, a lot of what BeerSmith wants is not there, like Ca/Mg/Na etc. Probably a newb problem, but not sure how to get beyond it.

I have thought about RO, but unsure which way to go with that. I used to have an under the sink RO system a few houses back, which was fantastic. It came with the house and I have no idea how expensive it would be to recreate.

 

[CodeSection]

Thank you for the link! I am not sure how to use it, as the info Beersmith wants is in a different format (ppm). And, a lot of what BeerSmith wants is not there, like Ca/Mg/Na etc. Probably a newb problem, but not sure how to get beyond it.

I have thought about RO, but unsure which way to go with that. I used to have an under the sink RO system a few houses back, which was fantastic. It came with the house and I have no idea how expensive it would be to recreate.

Yep, it has very limited information. As far as buying a RO system, there are many out there to choose from. WaterTec in Tucson serves about 60,000 customers and they installed a second RO system at my place. Just be sure IF you go with a RO system of any kind, make sure it has an automatic leak shutoff sensor. It will save headaches if the worse happens.

You could have Ward Labs analyze your water from the tap. You could buy bottled water and build your different water profiles from BS with that.....

Below is what I received from Ward Labs awhile ago....