At the United Nations climate talks in Baku, Azerbaijan, attendees were intrigued by a surprising offering at the Singapore pavilion: free beer called NEWBrew, made from treated wastewater. This unique beverage, which some jokingly referred to as "sewage beer," aims to raise awareness about water scarcity issues.

Among those sampling the drink was Ignace Urchil Lokouako Mbouamboua, a student from Congo, who expressed delight upon learning about its ingredients. He even suggested producing more such beers, noting that it was his third consecutive day enjoying a can.

NEWBrew is crafted using NEWater—a term used in Singapore for its treated wastewater—part of a national initiative to conserve water in this water-scarce region. Singapore has adopted innovative methods to manage its water supply, as it lacks natural freshwater sources. The country relies on water imports from Malaysia and emphasizes water recycling, desalination, and catchment.

The presence of NEWBrew at the climate talks not only exemplifies Singapore’s commitment to sustainable water practices but also highlights the broader issue of providing clean drinking water as climate change intensifies. Leaders in water management often prefer to refer to "wastewater" as "used water" to shift perspectives on recycled water.

The Public Utilities Board of Singapore developed NEWBrew in collaboration with a local brewery. This initiative intends to normalize the concept of using recycled water, a topic that has received mixed reactions from the public. Previous campaigns have included high-profile moments, such as when former Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong was photographed drinking NEWater in 2002, aimed at demonstrating its acceptance.

Participants at the conference, including Peter Rummel from Bentley Systems, commended the beer’s light and pleasant flavor. NEWBrew’s production reflects a growing acceptance of treated water, and the brewery reported producing around 15,000 cans annually. The brewery has crafted different flavors to promote acceptance, seeing a notable shift in perceptions among Singaporeans when treated water is incorporated into enjoyable products like beer.

As global water scarcity issues continue to escalate, experts like Saroj Kumar Jha from the World Bank stress the importance of promoting treated wastewater as part of sustainable water management strategies. During the discussions, he and fellow panelists raised NEWBrews to celebrate.

The presence of NEWBrew at the climate talks serves not only as a novel refreshment but also as a powerful reminder of the innovative approaches being adopted to tackle one of the most pressing challenges of our time: ensuring access to safe drinking water for all.