Embracing Innovation: From Wastewater to Beer

Climate change and its consequences are becoming increasingly evident, with droughts being one of the most palpable ways we are impacted. As a result, individuals and organizations are rethinking their water usage strategies, not only aiming to conserve water but also finding innovative ways to reclaim and reuse it. Enter Epic Cleantec, a startup specializing in wastewater reclamation, and Devil’s Canyon Brewing Company, based in San Carlos, California, who are collaborating to challenge skeptics and highlight the culinary potential of recycled water through an unconventional product – beer.

The beer, aptly named Epic OneWater Brew, is brewed in the Kölsch style, known for its refreshing and low alcohol content, making it an ideal summertime option. But what sets this beer apart is its main ingredient: recycled water derived from a luxury high-rise apartment building in San Francisco. Yes, it includes used shower and laundry water – sources most people wouldn’t consider drinking. However, Aaron Tartakovsky, co-founder and executive at Epic Cleantec, aims to demonstrate that purified wastewater can be both palatable and safe. And using beer as a starting point seems like a clever strategy.

Surprisingly, this is not the first time recycled wastewater has been utilized in brewing. In 2019, the water department in Scottsdale, Arizona, gave ten local breweries the opportunity to use water from its advanced treatment plant. The resulting brews were showcased at an arts festival, accompanied by an explanation of the purification system and its completely safe output. Although the idea of drinking water from toilets and showers may sound peculiar, research from Stanford University validates the efficacy and safety of this process. In fact, the ultra-purified water obtained through reverse osmosis, a rigorous filtration technique, can be as safe, if not safer, than traditional water sources like groundwater or rivers.

While Scottsdale’s public water supply doesn’t currently incorporate ultra-purified water, it undergoes extensive processing, including reverse osmosis, ozone infusion, microfiltration, and ultraviolet light treatment. Moreover, some cities like Aurora, Colorado, and Atlanta, Georgia, have already integrated reused potable water into their drinking water supplies. This demonstrates that recycled water is much more commonplace than one might think.

The thought of consuming beer brewed with wastewater might still elicit discomfort for some, but it is important to recognize the progress and innovation associated with water reclamation. After all, if it is good enough for astronauts who rely on recycled water systems, it should be good enough for the rest of us. Embracing these advancements and raising an ice-cold beer to a more efficient future seems like an appropriate and celebratory response to the challenges imposed by climate change.

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