“Xylem’s Reuse Brew: A Sustainable Beer Made from Wastewater”

Xylem, a water technology company, has made waves in the brewing industry with the development of a unique Bavarian-style beer called Reuse Brew. This eco-friendly beer is not your typical brew, as it is brewed using wastewater as a key ingredient.

The Reuse Brew project is a collaboration between Xylem, the Chair of Brewery and Beverage Technology at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), the Chair of Urban Water Systems Engineering at TUM, and the city of Weissenburg in Bavaria. The goal of this project is to showcase the latest advancements in water recycling technology and demonstrate the potential for using treated wastewater in beer production.

The wastewater used in the brewing process undergoes a rigorous treatment process to ensure its safety and quality. Solid waste is first removed, followed by filtration to eliminate trace substances that may be present in the water from various sources such as pesticides and cosmetics. The water is then treated using ozonation and oxidation techniques, including ultraviolet (UV) irradiation and hydrogen peroxide, to further purify it. Advanced filtration methods, such as nanofiltration, are also employed to remove any remaining contaminants from the wastewater.

According to Jörg E. Drewes, a professor at TUM, the collaboration with Xylem on the Reuse Brew project highlights the practicality of converting wastewater into safe drinking water using existing technologies. The beer production process involves oxidation processes and adsorption to remove chemicals and microbes, resulting in clean water for brewing.

Xylem worked with the city of Weissenburg to source treated wastewater from its wastewater treatment plant for the Reuse Brew project. The city’s wastewater plant utilizes ozonation technology from Xylem to remove micropollutants from sewer water, further demonstrating the capabilities of water recycling technology.

Roxana Marin-Simen de Redaelli, Vice President of Central Europe and Nordics at Xylem, emphasized the importance of sustainable wastewater recycling technologies in addressing water scarcity issues. The Reuse Brew project serves as a model for utilizing local resources to mitigate groundwater pressure and ensure water supply security during periods of drought.

By using highly treated wastewater in beer production, brewers can reduce their reliance on freshwater sources, ultimately conserving water resources. While the Reuse Brew is not available for sale, the public had the opportunity to sample the beer and feedback has been positive. Attendees praised the beer for its taste and were impressed by the fact that it was brewed using recycled water.

Overall, the Reuse Brew project represents a significant step towards promoting sustainable practices in the brewing industry and raising awareness about the potential of water recycling technologies. With the success of this project, Xylem and its partners are paving the way for a more environmentally conscious approach to beer production.