JUST GOT MY ALKALINITY FIGURES

[trucker5774]

I have emailed United Utilities and got the usual reply, directing me to the PH figure on the web site. I telephoned and was assured I would get a call back from "one of the girls".

Sure enough, 5 minutes later, I was told this months figure is 78.635 mg/l HC03 (which if my maths is correct is, 64.455 mg/l CaC03) They also told me the lowest for this year was 76 and the highest last year was 126.

I have never treated my water for alkalinity. Are these typical figures for the rest of the country (I'm in Ormskirk, West Lancs.) I guess I have just been lucky with the water/brews and generally made good beer!

Just thought that as theses figures are claimed to be up to date, they may be useful to others in the area.

Well done United Utilities for getting back so quickly

[steve_flack]

Sounds fine to me. The high end is a little high but probably not worth worrying about too much. What's the calcium like?

[trucker5774]

I only have an average for the calcium.........40. It ranges from 21 to 66. How does that figure in the big scheme Steve?

[steve_flack]

The target I've heard quoted several times is 100ppm.

[trucker5774]

The only treatment I have used is a campden tablet in the total water. One tsp each of gypsum and calcium chloride to the mash and one tsp of gypsum to the boil. I have no idea how a tsp relates to ppm, but it has worked out so far.

[steve_flack]

Assuming you're talking about 5 gallon batches then I think that should get you over 100ppm Calcium. I wouldn't worry about it then. What you're doing is probably fine.

[trucker5774]

Assuming you're talking about 5 gallon batches then I think that should get you over 100ppm Calcium. I wouldn't worry about it then. What you're doing is probably fine.

If all my additions were calcium (assuming 5g per tsp) then 3 teaspoons in a total of 30 l of water would give about 500 mg/l. I appreciate it's not that simple but it should at least give me the 100 ppm (mg/l).

I feel like I haven't brewed for ages............maybe we should have a confessional box on site where we could be given a penance.

[steve_flack]

But it isn't just calcium - it's calcium sulfate dihydrate. It's around 23.3% Calcium
Calcium Chloride has a number of stable hydrates. I think the dihydrate is the most common so that's 27.2% Calcium.

Adding 'Calcium' to the mash would be interesting.