Water report: Difference between revisions

In order to [[water mineral adjustment|adjust water minerals]] and properly control [[brewing pH]], it is necessary to know the starting mineral content of the [[water]]. This information is obtained through laboratory analysis. Because the mineral levels can shift seasonally or even day-to-day, it is recommended to monitor the overall minerality via [[TDS testing]], and it may be necessary to obtain a new analysis periodically. Analysis should ideally also be carried out over at least a one-year period to determine seasonal fluctuations.<ref name=eumbam>Eumann M. [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9781845690038500095 Chapter 9: Water in brewing.] In: Bamforth CW, ed. [[Library|''Brewing: New Technologies.'']] Woodhead Publishing; 2006:183–207.</ref> It may in some cases be more cost-effective and easier to use [[RO systems|reverse osmosis (RO) purified water]] (see [[Water sources]]).

It may be possible to avoid paying for water analysis if your water is fairly consistent and you can find some existing reports it. Brewer's Friend has compiled a list of anaysis results: [https://www.brewersfriend.com/homebrew/water-profiles Source water profiles] (this page takes some time to load). If your water comes from a local municipal water supplier, it might provide a mineral analysis that includes the ions important for brewing, so also check there before sending a sample off to a lab yourself. Even if you are able to obtain a report this way, {{SITENAME}} recommends monitoring the TDS to ensure consistency because TDS testing is so easy and the meters are inexpensive.

'''Ward Labs''' provides a [https://www.wardlab.com/brewers-water-test-kit/ Brewer’s Test "kit"] that includes a return label and prepaid postage, sample information sheet, clean bottle for sample, and packaging material. Once the lab receives your water sample, you get a report with the values for sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, carbonate, bicarbonate, chloride, iron, sulfate, nitrate, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, pH, total hardness, total alkalinity, and total phosphorus.<ref>[https://www.wardlab.com/brewers-water-test-kit/ Brewer’s / water test kit.] Ward Laboratories website. Accessed online May 2024.</ref>