Finally got some water stats but not all..

(That's water to the rest of us!) Beer is about 95% water, so if you want to discuss water treatment, filtering etc this is the place to do it!
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dean_wales
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Finally got some water stats but not all..

Post by dean_wales » Thu May 12, 2011 3:59 pm

Hi Guys,

I got a huge water report :shock: from my utility company but it mostly covers pesticides etc and not chemical composition.

I want to use the John Palmer worksheet but only have only managed to pick the following from the masses of superflous information :

Sulphate 25mg/l
Chloride 25mg/l
Sodium 12mg/l
Hardness 63mg/l as CaCO3
Alkalinity 25mg/l as CaCO3

I have no figures for the Calcium or Magnesium needed for the worksheet. Can I estimate these based on my other values or area? I have a value for Manganese, though I suspect this is totally different to Magnesium? As or the Calcium?

Also I typically brew pale and belgian ales, is my water in the right ball park for these? I am also intending on brewing another Fuller's ESB and Guiness clone this year, would my water need adjusting for any of these brews? [-o<

I have seen some advice that a teaspoon of Gypsum should always be added regardless but that seems a bit of a blunt tool?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Dean.
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Rparkera
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Re: Finally got some water stats but not all..

Post by Rparkera » Thu May 12, 2011 10:24 pm

Hi Dean

I'm in Swansea and got a similar report from Welsh Water. I emailed them back asking for the same extra detail you asked for and got a personal reply with the information on those two points by return. Give them a try

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dean_wales
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Re: Finally got some water stats but not all..

Post by dean_wales » Fri May 13, 2011 10:41 am

Just emailed him again. This time asking for the extra details.

Fingers crossed!

Thanks,

Dean.
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Aleman
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Re: Finally got some water stats but not all..

Post by Aleman » Fri May 13, 2011 1:18 pm

When you do get those figures rather than trying to use John Palmers overly complex method consider using the work that Graham Wheeler did on this water treatment calculator. It's still complex :D , but it is based on sound brewing requirements rather than potentially irrelevant science that is somewhat outdated.

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dean_wales
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Re: Finally got some water stats but not all..

Post by dean_wales » Fri May 13, 2011 9:33 pm

Aleman wrote:When you do get those figures rather than trying to use John Palmers overly complex method consider using the work that Graham Wheeler did on this water treatment calculator. It's still complex :D , but it is based on sound brewing requirements rather than potentially irrelevant science that is somewhat outdated.
Now thats nicer to look at and use!

I must say that Dwr Cymru are very friendly and sent the extra figures I needed within minutes and also sent me an updated report and the offer of future help.

Da iawn!

The calcium came in at 22mgl and the Magnesium at 4.6mg/l - Anyone have any advice regarding what my water is and isnt suitable for?

Dean.
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dean_wales
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Re: Finally got some water stats but not all..

Post by dean_wales » Fri May 13, 2011 9:41 pm

Also where do you get the salts listed there to adjust your water?

My water seems to be good for lager only! Can you get a water adjustment starter pack with a bit of everything?

Thanks,

Dean.
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Graham

Re: Finally got some water stats but not all..

Post by Graham » Fri May 13, 2011 9:56 pm

dean_wales wrote:Also where do you get the salts listed there to adjust your water?
My water seems to be good for lager only! Can you get a water adjustment starter pack with a bit of everything?
To my mind, you will require more calcium if you want crystal clear beer. How do your beers turn out for clarity?

You can add gypsum to up your calcium level. So you would need to get some gypsum from a home brewing shop, and perhaps some calcium chloride to complete the set.

Your experience might indicate that your alkalinity needs increasing a bit, which you can do with bicarbonate of soda from a supermarket (not baking powder - its not the same stuff). If you want to increase the magnesium you can do that with Epsom salts from a chemist or a supermarket. If the calculator tells you that you need anything other than the chemicals that I have mentioned - ignore it.

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dean_wales
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Re: Finally got some water stats but not all..

Post by dean_wales » Fri May 13, 2011 10:17 pm

Thanks!

By the way - what small amounts should I ignore, any below 10g any below 1g or what? I have digital scales but not that digital!

I think my LHBS sells Gypsum and Epsom but dont know about Calcium Chloride. Is that only going to be online or would another type of shop have it?

Thanks,

Dean.
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testtube
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Re: Finally got some water stats but not all..

Post by testtube » Sat May 14, 2011 12:01 am

I am with United Utilities and their water reports are online, and comprehensive. I live in a very soft water area and it is difficult making up calcium with the usual stuff, but seeing as I brew pale ales usually it's not so bad, infact I have given up bothering and put a tsp of dry liquor salts in my mash and that's it.

AnthonyUK

Re: Finally got some water stats but not all..

Post by AnthonyUK » Sat May 14, 2011 8:23 am

Your water is very soft which is a benefit as such as it is often easier to add than remove what is required.
As you said it is great for lagers and pale beers also.
My 'hardness' reading is over 300 so at the opposite end of the scale.

testtube
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Re: Finally got some water stats but not all..

Post by testtube » Sat May 14, 2011 9:39 am

Yeah, In a way, it's just I can end up with too much other stuff (chloride/sulphate etc.) before I get the correct calcium. My mash PH is 5.2/5.3 so isn't too bad. Another option is to send your water off to get tested and get recommendations, read somewhere Murphy and son might do it.

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dean_wales
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Re: Finally got some water stats but not all..

Post by dean_wales » Sat May 14, 2011 10:24 am

Whats the best/cheapest way to add calcium?
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testtube
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Re: Finally got some water stats but not all..

Post by testtube » Sat May 14, 2011 10:40 am

All ways are cheap. Have a read of this:

http://www.murphyandson.co.uk/BrewingAr ... ywhere.htm

Should give a good idea what to do.

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