Belgian University is brewing beer from wastewater

The faculty bio-engineering from the University of Ghent has been using treated wastewater from a brewery to brew beer. The blond beer was produced as a gimmick for the First International Resource Recovery Conference on aqueous streams that is taking place from the 30th of August until 2 September in Ghent. Researchers and Industry representatives are gathering in Belgium to focus on reusing wastewater.

The event is being organised by the International Water Association and the University of Ghent. The conference is being sponsored by Aquafin, Veolia, Nijhuis Industries, Dow, Induss, De Watergroep and Global Water Engineering. Wastewater of Brewery ‘De Wilde Brouwers’ was purified with membranes. Before being used as a resource for beer the water had to be approved by a drinking water lab.

Using wastewater
Reusing wastewater has the future. Because of water scarcity the use of it simply needs to be intensified. Using fresh water several times before it is discharged will soon be the norm. The food- and beverage industry is looking for innovative and safe applications to treat wastewater. This year a wastewater treatment operator in Oregon in the United States was also brewing beer out of treated sewer water.

More information
www.iwa.org