Second that @peebee; £26 for the test + P&P is a bargain for what you get. Certainly when compared to others offering a similar service.
Wasn't always like that. The grubby occupants down south used to export all their filth up your way on the wind and when I lived up there the tap water was pH3! 1980s "acid rain" scare. But it didn't stop in the NE of Scotland, it crossed to Scandinavia and they were really fed up with "the dirty old man of europe".
Your so right about this.... The Afon Mawdach has no fish, I've never seen any when we used to go gold panning up near the Gwynfynydd Mine. Someone I knew who went into one of the abandoned mines came out covered in yellow sludge it was sulphur, a lot of this water was seeping out from there, there is also arsenic, cyanide, mercury in the river used for forming an amalgam etc. Don't think I'd want to use this water for my Golden ales.
So it is. But not having to worry about seemingly random chlorine additions, not being subject to seemingly random pH corrections, not having to be blinkered to what might find its way into water from lower lying sources … If you have a easily accessible source of good brewing water, use it! I guess there are lots of folk on this forum who'd love a good source of water: They are always going on about supermarket bottled water, RO water, etc., and whatever else they are using to avoid their tap water.
mmm. The sheep do get everywhere, including the drinking water reservoirs, but I don't think the water will be used unboiled?
Well....... Some of the UK does!
The boil sanitises it. The Metabisulphite neutralises (reacts with) the chlorine, but also happens to be used as a sanitiser (for wine-making usually). I think it works as a sanitiser better for wine because it is kept much longer; it hangs about too long to use as a successful sanitiser in beer.
As someone who works in water treatment - and with the Utilities - filtered and boiled should be fine (previous points about avoiding industrial etc waste and significant animal faecal contamination are excellent - but frankly, why bother if you have mains supply? Seriously, UK tap water is very consistent and monitored. Private borehole great - though still advise that you get it checked to meet Private Water Supply regs. Water for brewing is a massive topic in its own right - and if you ever do a tour of a big brewery - ask to see their water treatment plants.
Cor. A real live water treatment worker sticking their head over the parapet - must take a shot at that!
