Water report

[redrocker652002]

So, this is part of what I found for my water district. Is this the part of the whole report I should be looking at? It is from 2024, but I am guessing it won't change a huge amount right?

Secondary Drinking Water Standards​
Contaminants	Year Tested	Unit	SMCL	PHG (MCLG)	In Compliance	Groundwater	SFPUC	Source
Range/Result	Average	Range	Average
Aluminum	2024	ppb	200	600	Yes	ND	ND	ND–59	ND	ER, RS
Chloride	2022–2024	ppm	500	N/A	Yes	3.6–140	96	ND–9.9	9.3	RU, SW
Color, apparent	2022–2024	CU	15	N/A	Yes	ND–10	5.0	N/A	N/A	OM
Iron	2024	ppb	300	N/A	Yes	ND	ND	ND–41	14	RU, IW
Manganese	2024	ppb	50	N/A	Yes	ND	ND	ND–2.7	ND	RU
Specific conductance	2022–2024	µS/cm	1600	N/A	Yes	1000–1200	1060	31–317	193	SW, IO
Sulfate	2022–2024	ppm	500	N/A	Yes	1.7–160	96	1–41	18	RU, IW
Total dissolved solids	2022–2024	ppm	1000	N/A	Yes	590–650	616	24–169	102	RU
Turbidity (groundwater)	2022–2024	NTU	5	N/A	Yes	0.20–4.2	2.2	N/A	N/A	SO
Zinc	2024	ppm	5	N/A	Yes	ND–0.86	ND	N/A	N/A	RU, IW

Now, with this info and knowing that most of my brews have been in the ale category with pales and IPA's being the predominant. What, if anything, would I need to add to my water to improve my beer? If I am doing lager styles, Helles, Hefeweizens or others is there a difference? Any input is always appreciated

 

[VikeMan]

To be useful for brewing, you need to know:

Calcium
Magnesium
Sodium
Chloride
Sulfate
Total Alkalinity

Most municipal water reports, including yours it seems, don't list all of these.

As for whether it might change from year to year, it certainly can. In many places, it will change from season to season.

 

[pfabsits]

It looks to be groundwater. The EC is pretty high. I once lived outside Chicago in a town that had a well instead of Chicago water (Lake MI). The EC was similar due to the calcium carbonate (Limestone) that the water percolates through as it reaches the aquifer. The water was pretty hard and we had to use a softener to remove the calcium. With the amount of calcium carbonate in the source water the alkalinity was pretty high as well.

The water quality was quite different from a well in the Northeast. There the EC was low. About the same as RO water. Instead we had to deal with Iron and Manganese. In the the Northeast there is a lot of granite so not much minerals to dissolve. Just some radon.

I think groundwater is pretty stable as compared to surface water. With surface water, there are some seasonal variations that can occur due to weather events, spring turnover, etc.

 

[redrocker652002]

Here is the full report for my city. It is from 2024 so I am sure it has changed, but it gives me an idea. If somebody wants to go thru it that would be awesome, but it is a lot so I don't expect anybody to do that. If I wanted to have the water tested, where is it best to do so? Anyplace local?

https://www.calwater.com/ccrs/bay-ssf-2024/

 

[mac_1103]

That looks like it's at least two different reports. One for groundwater and one for SFPUC (San Francisco Water Power and Sewer). And then there's "source" whatever that means. San Francisco has at least three reservoirs and supplements those with aquifer water. So I'm not sure that this report tells you much of anything about what you're actually brewing with.

Also, I found this City of San Francisco water report which says on page 11 that alkalinity ranged from 7.4 to 120 with a note that "Blending different water sources throughout the year resulted in varying water qualities." Since we're talking about a large regional water authority, I suspect that your water has quite a bit of seasonal variation even if you're not in the city proper.

 

[mac_1103]

Here is the full report for my city.

We crossed in the mail. Looks very similar to the report I found. I would guess that the amount of groundwater that they blend in varies a lot over time, leading to the wide range of results.

 

[redrocker652002]

That looks like it's at least two different reports. One for groundwater and one for SFPUC (San Francisco Water Power and Sewer). And then there's "source" whatever that means. San Francisco has at least three reservoirs and supplements those with aquifer water. So I'm not sure that this report tells you much of anything about what you're actually brewing with.

Also, I found this City of San Francisco water report which says on page 11 that alkalinity ranged from 7.4 to 120 with a note that "Blending different water sources throughout the year resulted in varying water qualities." Since we're talking about a large regional water authority, I suspect that your water has quite a bit of seasonal variation even if you're not in the city proper.

I really thank you for taking the time to go thru all of that stuff and make it easy for me to understand. So, I guess my next question would be, should I be buying bottles of spring water at the store that has nothing to start with and add as I need to depending on the style and type of beer I am making? I know I probably don't want to go down this rabbit hole, but I feel like it is the next step in my learning curve. If this has been beaten to death please say so and I will try and do a search of some kind.

 

[redrocker652002]

We crossed in the mail. Looks very similar to the report I found. I would guess that the amount of groundwater that they blend in varies a lot over time, leading to the wide range of results.

Thank you very much for taking the time to look thru all of this. It is all new to me and I feel like this is the next step in my learning to make better beer.

 

[mac_1103]

Does anyone in your area have one of those RO water dispensers? If you can find one it's probably quite a bit less expensive than bottled water. I found one at my local Whole Foods. You can buy a cheap TDS meter to check that it's working properly before you fill your jugs (or carboy).

 

[redrocker652002]

Does anyone in your area have one of those RO water dispensers? If you can find one it's probably quite a bit less expensive than bottles water. I found one at my local Whole Foods. You can buy a cheap TDS meter to check that it's working properly before you will your jugs (or carboy).

I will have to look around. There are a few water dispenser machines around, but I never looked at them. I have two 5 gallon carboys I can use to transport, or just fill up two buckets, I am watching vids now of how to use software and add stuff to water. Lots to learn