I do believe it is safe to say that the single largest contributor to a boiler's failure is inadequate or improper water treatment. There are countless cases where a boiler has required tube replacement after only one to two years of service. Boiler water analysis determines the condition of the water and treatment required.
Boiler water is tested to determine the frequency and amount of blowdowns and chemicals required.
Boiler water test and water treatment activities are recorded in a water treatment log similar to the boiler room log. Boiler water samples are tested at the plant or sent to a water treatment company for analysis. It doesn't require a whole lot of imagination to know which regiment is the most efficient. The most common method of control of boiler water chemistry is for an outside chemical contractor to come into the plant once a month, perform an analysis and make recommendations. Water is treated to protect the boiler from conditions that result from untreated water such as scaling, carry over, and oxygen pitting, to name a few.