From Sewage Water to NewBrew Beer

By Paolo von Schirach

December 4, 2024 – Some consumers today can buy and safely consume great tasting beer made with recycled wastewater. True or false? It is actually a true story. While some may find the idea of drinking any beverage made with recycled sewer water distasteful, if not abhorrent, this is now fully accepted by many. Brewerkz, a Singapore based brewery, a while ago launched NewBrew, a beer made using wastewater fully treated by PUB, Singapore National Water Agency. As Brewerkz says on its website:

“Since its inception, NEWBrew has showcased the potential of sustainable brewing with recycled water, inspiring similar efforts in Germany, Canada, and the US. This initiative also highlights the pressing issue of climate change, including the challenges of droughts and floods that jeopardize global freshwater supplies.”

“Launched by PUB in 2002, NEWater celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. As Singapore’s third National Tap, NEWater provides a weather-resilient, endlessly recyclable water source. Used water undergoes rigorous treatment at PUB’s water reclamation plants and further purification with advanced membrane technologies and ultraviolet disinfection at NEWater factories.”

So, we see here that NewBrew is only a part of a much larger story. Namely, the story of Singapore’s long but ultimately successful journey which allowed the city state to overcome the huge constraints created by extreme water scarcity, a predicament that might have jeopardized the small country’s ability to sustain itself –literally to exist. let alone grow into a super modern global city. No city can survive without an adequate supply of safe, affordable drinking water.

NEwater is the result of many years of testing and technological upgrades, (going back to 2002), pursued by the government of Singapore that ultimately led to success. Using a combination of Reverse Osmosis and Ultraviolet Disinfection, the water authorities a few years ago obtained pure, clean water from wastewater. This purified water now can be confidently used by the people of Singapore for both non potable and potable use. Treated water is mixed to reservoir water before it becomes available for human consumption.

Brewerkz brewery vote of confidence leading to the launch of this brand of beer –NewBrew– is just one additional, albeit significant, appendix to this broadly successful water recycling story. Indeed, all brewing industry insiders know very well that water purity is a “must have” precondition to produce high quality beer. Now all consumers drinking NewBrew beer can enjoy a high quality, totally safe, product, while at the same affirming that they are part of a successful, societal water sustainability program.

More broadly, this Singapore water sustainability success story via recycling shows that human ingenuity can overcome major challenges like water scarcity. Hopefully, with the assistance of Singaporean experts, similar water treatment plants will be created elsewhere. Lack of clean water is one of the biggest challenges to sustainable development, especially in poor countries plagued by both water scarcity and waterborne diseases caused by consuming contaminated water.

Paolo von Schirach is the President of the Global Policy Institute, a Washington DC think tank, and Professor of Political Science and International Relations at Bay Atlantic University, also in Washington, DC. He is also the Editor of the Schirach Report.

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