Water Company questions...

[Mouflon44]

I was wondering what questions to ask my local water supplier. What parameters should I inquire about? I called them about ph (7.9 - 8.0) and also hardness (9). Anything else? Will this ph and hardness cause me a lot of problems with a planted tank? I am hoping to avoid having piped in co2 or RO, but the ph and hardness seem high. Due to the large number of gallons, evaporation and water changes I will probably be using a lot of water.

[djlen]

Call them and tell them(a white lie) that the family doctor has asked for a print out of all your water's parameters. Tell them it's to rule out certain allergies.
Among other things, you want to know your nitrate level, phosphate, and also ammonia, and chlorine if it is used.
A thorough print out will cover these, and other details if they are in the water.

Len

[Cearbhaill]

Municipal water companies have available "water quality" reports that are available to residents at no charge. Mine mails a copy to everyone each year or you can stop in and request one.

[anonapersona]

Just ask for the report to be mailed to you.

And ask if they use chlorine or chloramine, max values and when those are most likely to occur. It would be handy to know that is summer the values were at max and in winter at min, for example. And that if there was a flood or drought, that values would reach the max or min.

I'd ask if they use different sources and if that was seasonally, rain dependant, or without warning. I read of some areas that use different sources, maybe one with low pH, one very hard and high pH. If this were the case, you'd want to test pH before large water changes.

Ask about nitrates and nitrites and phosphates. Max values and seasonality, no point changing water often if during certain months the nitrate in the tap is higher than in the tank.

[JLudwig]

It would be handy to know that is summer the values were at max and in winter at min, for example. And that if there was a flood or drought, that values would reach the max or min.

This I think is very important... our water for example comes from a river which travels thru a lot of agricultural but not industrial areas, so after farmers fert their fields in early spring, our NO3 levels usually triple for a month or so... our hardness here can flucutate 2dKH or so also the course of a year...