Re: Serious Water Quality Problems

Jake Woods wrote:
> Hi all,
> 
> The area I live in is in severe need of rain, and it's affected our 
> water quality to the point where I don't even want to wash my equipment 
> with the muck that is coming out of the faucet.  Officially, they tell 
> us that it is an algae bloom and it is safe to drink but will taste like

>  pond water until we get some rain.
> 
> Any opinions on the following questions are welcome.
> 
> 1.  Will a thorough cleaning/sanitization job with PBW and Star-San 
> overcome any nasties that the water introduces?
> 
> 2. If I buy water to clean with, and don't heat it up to my tap water's 
> usual temp, will that affect the performance of the sanitizer?
> 
> 2. I have 5 gals that I made about 5 weeks ago that is (past) ready to 
> be bottled.  How long can I wait before giving in and buying water to 
> clean and sanitize my bottling rig with?
> 
> Thanks - this one's got me a little perplexed.
> 
> - Jake


one- if the water tastes funny your beer will taste funny. Here in the 
states they sell 5 gallon water bottles. I'd switch entirely over to 
those until your water goes back to normal.

two- heat your water for the sanitizer until warm and put in a 
sanitizing bucket. The stuff I use requires warm water.

three- I've let my beer sit in the secondary 4 weeks longer than normal 
once and kegged it. Since it's air tight and is filled with CO2 you 
should be fine.

Is this well water or city water? Do you mind if I ask where you live?

After cooling your wort I'd be sure to use good clean water to top off 
your brew. Algae bloom and beer can't mix well!!!