Re: Serious Water Quality Problems

Bill Fright wrote:
> 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.

I'm not worried about the brew water - for the wort and for topping off 
, I never used the tap even when the water tasted fine.  I'm only 
concerned about any off tastes that could be left by the water I 
sanitize with.  I'm still really small time and never have more than one 
batch going at a time :)
> 
> 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?

Middle Tennessee.  Let's hear it for the ***berland River.

> 
> 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!!!

Thanks!

- Jake