[DaveR]

I use RO water. I have four 5 gallon bottles that I refill at Culligan machines (Walmart). It's inexpensive. I was using spring water but RO water costs around $4 per batch vs $12 or more for spring.

I use only RO water. Initially I took someone's advice and just threw some gypsum into the mash water. I had some issues so I downloaded the Bru'n Water spreadsheet. Takes a little time to figure out the spreadsheet,  but it's time well spent.  Several books cover the subject, too. "Designing Great Beers" is one, if I'm not mistaken.

[Alewyfe]

 
I have been using EZwatercalculator  http://www.ezwatercalculator.com/ and have found it easy to understand and
use.  I will check out Martin's spreadsheet next session to see how they compare.

[DW]

How do you find out what your local water report is? 

[hopfenundmalz]

How do you find out what your local water report is? 

Some local utilities will have the brewing ions.  Some do not as those are not required by low.  See what tehy have.

If you are on a well, send to Ward labs, and get test W-6 for $16.50 last I looked.  That will give you what you need.

[garc_mall]

How do you find out what your local water report is? 

Some local utilities will have the brewing ions.  Some do not as those are not required by low.  See what tehy have.

If you are on a well, send to Ward labs, and get test W-6 for $16.50 last I looked.  That will give you what you need.

Also, even if you can't find the ion information from the utility company send them an email, took about 2 days for my water utility to figure out what I wanted, but after a bit, they got me exactly what I needed. Make sure you ask for the Secondary Standards, that is where almost all the brewing Ion information is located.

[DW]

How do you find out what your water chemistry profile is? 

[leejoreilly]

I found a link to mine on my Township's website.

[hopfenundmalz]

How do you find out what your local water report is? 

Some local utilities will have the brewing ions.  Some do not as those are not required by low.  See what tehy have.

If you are on a well, send to Ward labs, and get test W-6 for $16.50 last I looked.  That will give you what you need.

Also, even if you can't find the ion information from the utility company send them an email, took about 2 days for my water utility to figure out what I wanted, but after a bit, they got me exactly what I needed. Make sure you ask for the Secondary Standards, that is where almost all the brewing Ion information is located.

Mine did not have it on teh web site, and claimed they did not test for it in the e-mail I got back as it was not a legal requirement.  That is what they said. 

I did not share the results from Ward Labs.