Hi all,
Long time lurker, first time poster. I am in the process of helping to start a new 10bbl brewpub in Michigan. We are on well water and have gotten the following results from a Ward Labs test:
pH: 7.9
TDS:329
Electrical conductivity: 0.55
Cations/Anions: 6.3 / 6
Sodium: 11
Potassium: 1
Calcium: 81.9
Magnesium: 20
Total Hardness: 288
Nitrate: <0.1
Sulfate: 10
Chloride: 38
Carbonate: <0.1
Bicarbonate: 264
Total Alkalinity: 218
Total Phosphorus: 0.02
Total Iron: 0.45
I am aware that the water is pretty hard, has very high bicarbonate, and needs the iron removed. A couple water treatment specialists I have talked to recommend ion-exchange softening followed by an RO system. I realize this will give me the most flexibility to build the water profile as I please but it is costly. A brewing friend with a background in water chemistry suggested there is a means to dose the water with a Stenner pump (with lime?) so that the bicarbonate would precipitate and be able to be filtered out. Has anyone seen or used this type of system? This seems like it could be a good option for me since the other ion levels are within ranges IÂ’ve seen recommended by Palmer and Brungard.
Another concern about using RO water is that due to slow regeneration rate I wonÂ’t be able to use it for KO water and reclaim the water in the HLT for my next brew.
As a production brewer I have never had to think about or apply water chemistry. I have been trying hard to wrap my head around this topic and it is somewhat daunting. Any suggestions or insight are appreciated!
Long time lurker, first time poster. I am in the process of helping to start a new 10bbl brewpub in Michigan. We are on well water and have gotten the following results from a Ward Labs test:
pH: 7.9
TDS:329
Electrical conductivity: 0.55
Cations/Anions: 6.3 / 6
Sodium: 11
Potassium: 1
Calcium: 81.9
Magnesium: 20
Total Hardness: 288
Nitrate: <0.1
Sulfate: 10
Chloride: 38
Carbonate: <0.1
Bicarbonate: 264
Total Alkalinity: 218
Total Phosphorus: 0.02
Total Iron: 0.45
I am aware that the water is pretty hard, has very high bicarbonate, and needs the iron removed. A couple water treatment specialists I have talked to recommend ion-exchange softening followed by an RO system. I realize this will give me the most flexibility to build the water profile as I please but it is costly. A brewing friend with a background in water chemistry suggested there is a means to dose the water with a Stenner pump (with lime?) so that the bicarbonate would precipitate and be able to be filtered out. Has anyone seen or used this type of system? This seems like it could be a good option for me since the other ion levels are within ranges IÂ’ve seen recommended by Palmer and Brungard.
Another concern about using RO water is that due to slow regeneration rate I wonÂ’t be able to use it for KO water and reclaim the water in the HLT for my next brew.
As a production brewer I have never had to think about or apply water chemistry. I have been trying hard to wrap my head around this topic and it is somewhat daunting. Any suggestions or insight are appreciated!
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