A system for preparing a solution, comprising: a) at least one mixing chamber; b) an automated solution dispenser capable of mixing at least one solid and one liquid in the at least one mixing chamber; c) at least one controllable inlet port operably linked to the at least one mixing chamber, wherein the at least one controllable inlet port comprises: i) a controllable solids port that is capable of controllably supplying solid components to the at least one mixing chamber from one or more solid sources, and ii) a controllable liquid inlet port for controllably supplying liquid to the at least one mixing chamber from one or more liquid sources; d) at least one sensor that comprises a solution sensor capable of sensing one or more characteristics of the solution; and e) a control system that is operably linked to the automated solution dispenser, comprising a user interface configured to receive a solution order entered by a user, wherein the control system is configured to measure at least one operating parameter, wherein the system is capable of i) determining a weight of the at least one solid prior to mixing; ii) mixing the solid and liquid according to the solution order from the user, wherein the solution order comprises specifications for solution preparation, and iii) controllably supplying the at least one solid to the at least one mixing chamber until a target characteristic of the solution is detected wherein the target characteristic of the solution is selected from the group consisting of pH, temperature, chemical composition, weight, flow rate, conductivity, turbidity, density, capacitance, and viscosity. a) at least one mixing chamber; b) an automated solution dispenser capable of mixing at least one solid and one liquid in the at least one mixing chamber; c) at least one controllable inlet port operably linked to the at least one mixing chamber, wherein the at least one controllable inlet port comprises: i) a controllable solids port that is capable of controllably supplying solid components to the at least one mixing chamber from one or more solid sources, and ii) a controllable liquid inlet port for controllably supplying liquid to the at least one mixing chamber from one or more liquid sources; i) a controllable solids port that is capable of controllably supplying solid components to the at least one mixing chamber from one or more solid sources, and ii) a controllable liquid inlet port for controllably supplying liquid to the at least one mixing chamber from one or more liquid sources; d) at least one sensor that comprises a solution sensor capable of sensing one or more characteristics of the solution; and e) a control system that is operably linked to the automated solution dispenser, comprising a user interface configured to receive a solution order entered by a user, wherein the control system is configured to measure at least one operating parameter, wherein the system is capable of i) determining a weight of the at least one solid prior to mixing; ii) mixing the solid and liquid according to the solution order from the user, wherein the solution order comprises specifications for solution preparation, and iii) controllably supplying the at least one solid to the at least one mixing chamber until a target characteristic of the solution is detected i) determining a weight of the at least one solid prior to mixing; ii) mixing the solid and liquid according to the solution order from the user, wherein the solution order comprises specifications for solution preparation, and iii) controllably supplying the at least one solid to the at least one mixing chamber until a target characteristic of the solution is detected wherein the target characteristic of the solution is selected from the group consisting of pH, temperature, chemical composition, weight, flow rate, conductivity, turbidity, density, capacitance, and viscosity.