The WateReuse Association has honored two partnerships, Monterey Regional Pollution Control Agency and its customer Ocean Mist Farms, as well Clean Water Services and its partner the Oregon Brew Crew.
They were honored for their contributions in demonstrating how agencies, industries and producers can work together to increase the water resources sector to meet public demand.
The awards were presented during the One Water Innovations Gala held in New Orleans on Sept. 28.
The partnership is between a public agency that has shown leadership in industry and their customer that has shown a willingness to take a chance, do the right thing and use the right water for the right use, said, Melissa Meeker, executive director, WateReuse.
Monterey is located in northern California where wastewater from Monterey Peninsula is sent for treating and the safe recycled water is used to irrigate farmland.
One of those customers is Ocean Mist Farms. The company holds an industry leadership position in sustainable practices involving reducing carbon footprint, using integrated pest management solutions, implementing water quality and water conservation components on the farm, using recycled water, and much more.
Clean Water Services (CWS) is a water resources management utility in Oregon’s Tualatin River Watershed that provides wastewater services, flood management projects, water quality and more.
The Oregon Brew Crew is the state’s oldest home brewer’s club, based in Portland. Working together, they organized a beer competition to eliminate the link between wastewater treatment and the tap.
Recently, 1,000 gallons of water was taken from the Tualatin River downstream from CWS’s wastewater treatment facility, where the flow is 30 percent effluent and put through the water treatment system to clean beyond drinking water standards.
After purification, the water was sent to Portland-area home brewers who used it to brew beer for the Oregon Brew Crew’s Pure Water Brew competition. Thirteen brewers crafted 16 styles of beer.