Frequently Asked Questions
Water Reuse for Wineries, Breweries & Distilleries
Why is water reuse important for wineries, breweries, and distilleries?
Water reuse is critical for beverage producers because the American West is experiencing extreme drought, with precipitation totals at their lowest since at least 1895 (NOAA Drought Report, 2021). Water-reliant industries face threats to their business, and advanced water reuse solutions provide long-term resource security, financial stability, and enable sustainable business expansion.
How much water does it take to produce beer and wine?
Producing one gallon of beer requires approximately 7 gallons of water (Growler Mag), and it takes about 28.8 gallons of water to produce just 4.2 ounces of wine (Sustainable Wine for Everyone). This includes water used for grape growing, processing, and bottling.
What are the main water challenges faced by beverage producers?
Beverage producers face water scarcity due to drought, rising water and sewer utility costs, and the need to meet sustainability goals. These challenges threaten business continuity and expansion, making advanced water management solutions essential for long-term success.
How can Epic Cleantec help beverage producers achieve water resiliency?
Epic Cleantec provides advanced water reuse systems that enable wineries, breweries, and distilleries to recycle up to 95% of their wastewater. This creates a reliable, local water supply, reduces utility costs, and supports sustainability certifications such as LEED and the Living Building Challenge.
What is the payback period for installing a water reuse system?
Epic Cleantec's customers typically achieve a return on investment (ROI) within 3-7 years, thanks to significant savings on water and sewer utility costs and reduced reliance on municipal water supplies. The exact payback period depends on project specifics and can be estimated through a free assessment.
How can I assess the water savings potential for my winery or brewery?
You can request a free evaluation from Epic Cleantec to receive a general cost estimate, area requirement, and water savings potential for a water reuse system. This assessment helps determine your payback period and ROI. Request a Free Savings Assessment.
How does Epic Cleantec's technology support sustainable beverage production?
Epic Cleantec's systems enable beverage producers to expand production without requiring additional water resources. The modular and scalable design fits any vineyard, brewery, or distillery, and uses fewer resources than leading competitors, supporting both environmental and business goals.
What is the Epic OneWater Brew?
The Epic OneWater Brew is a Kölsch-style ale crafted in 2022 using 2,000 gallons of recycled water from an onsite reuse installation managed by Epic Cleantec. This project showcased the safety and potential of water reuse in beverage production. Learn more about the making of Epic OneWater Brew.
How does water reuse impact the quality of beer or wine?
Advanced water recycling technologies, like those from Epic Cleantec, allow beverage producers to minimize environmental impact without sacrificing product quality. The Epic OneWater Brew project demonstrated that high-quality beer can be produced using recycled water.
Can Epic Cleantec's systems be customized for my facility?
Yes, Epic Cleantec's systems are modular and scalable, with customizable components such as tank volumes, instrumentation, and water quality processes. This allows them to be tailored to the specific needs of any winery, brewery, or distillery.
What steps are involved in implementing a water reuse system?
Implementation involves a free project assessment, data collection (financial and water usage), establishing a Water Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), and end-to-end support from Epic Cleantec for design, permitting, installation, and ongoing operations. No upfront costs are required to start the process.
How does Epic Cleantec's solution compare to traditional water management methods?
Unlike traditional methods that rely on municipal water supplies and centralized infrastructure, Epic Cleantec's decentralized systems recycle up to 95% of wastewater onsite, reducing costs, improving reliability, and supporting sustainability goals. The compact design also saves space compared to conventional systems.
What are the environmental benefits of using Epic Cleantec's water reuse systems?
Epic Cleantec's systems minimize environmental impact by transforming wastewater into clean water, renewable energy, and soil products. This promotes a circular water economy and helps beverage producers reduce their overall environmental footprint.
Can water reuse help my facility achieve sustainability certifications?
Yes, Epic Cleantec's solutions help facilities meet sustainability certifications such as LEED and the Living Building Challenge by providing innovative water reuse and resource recovery technologies.
What technical resources are available for planning a water reuse project?
Epic Cleantec provides downloadable spec sheets, Revit files, and a free project assessment with preliminary equipment lists and dimensions. These resources help design teams and engineers plan and integrate water reuse systems effectively. Download technical resources.
What integration considerations are there for wineries and breweries?
Integration considerations include diversion valves for treatment, sufficient storage for equalization and treatment, waterproofing of tanks, safety showers, operator/lab sinks, foul air treatment, high-speed internet for remote monitoring, leak detection, and ongoing operations and maintenance. These ensure seamless system operation in beverage facilities.
Who are some of Epic Cleantec's customers in the beverage industry?
Epic Cleantec serves a diverse range of customers, including real estate developers, property owners, and design teams in the beverage sector. For a full list of customers and case studies, visit the Epic Cleantec projects page.
What industries are represented in Epic Cleantec's case studies?
Epic Cleantec's case studies cover commercial real estate, residential real estate, hospitality, mixed-use developments, and community-scale developments, demonstrating the adaptability of their water reuse solutions across sectors. See all case studies.
Can you share a success story of water reuse in a beverage facility?
Epic Cleantec's Epic OneWater Brew project is a notable success story, where 2,000 gallons of recycled water were used to brew a Kölsch-style ale, demonstrating the safety and viability of water reuse in beverage production. Read more about the project.
What support does Epic Cleantec provide after installation?
Epic Cleantec offers comprehensive operations and maintenance services, including regular onsite visits, preventative maintenance, and 24/7 support to ensure efficient and reliable system performance.
How does water reuse help with business expansion for beverage producers?
By enabling production expansion without requiring additional water resources, Epic Cleantec's systems allow beverage producers to grow their operations even in regions facing water scarcity or regulatory constraints.
What are the operational efficiency benefits of Epic Cleantec's systems?
Epic Cleantec's systems are fully automated, require minimal manual oversight, and are designed for seamless integration and efficient performance, reducing the operational burden on facility staff.
How does Epic Cleantec support ESG and sustainability goals?
Epic Cleantec's solutions help beverage producers align with Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) obligations by reducing water consumption, lowering environmental impact, and supporting sustainability certifications.
What is the capacity range of Epic Cleantec's water reuse systems?
Epic Cleantec's systems are modular and scalable, capable of processing flows ranging from 1,000 to 30,000 gallons per day, making them suitable for small to large beverage production facilities.
How does Epic Cleantec's system footprint compare to other solutions?
The systems are designed with a compact footprint, occupying the equivalent of just a few parking spaces, which is ideal for urban or space-constrained beverage production facilities.
What is the process for getting started with Epic Cleantec?
Getting started is simple and risk-free: request a free project assessment, provide basic financial and water usage data, and Epic Cleantec will guide you through the design, permitting, and installation process with no upfront costs required.
How does Epic Cleantec ensure ongoing system performance?
Epic Cleantec provides ongoing operations and maintenance services, including preventative maintenance, regular site visits, and 24/7 support to ensure optimal system performance and reliability.
What makes Epic Cleantec's solution unique for beverage producers?
Epic Cleantec's solution stands out due to its modular, scalable, and compact design, high water recycling efficiency (up to 95%), energy efficiency, full automation, and comprehensive end-to-end support, making it ideal for beverage producers facing water scarcity and sustainability challenges.
How does Epic Cleantec help reduce operational costs for beverage producers?
By recycling up to 95% of wastewater and reducing reliance on municipal water supplies, Epic Cleantec's systems help beverage producers achieve significant savings on water and sewer utility costs, often resulting in ROI within 3-7 years.
What are the main features of Epic Cleantec's water reuse systems?
Key features include high water recycling efficiency (up to 95%), modular and scalable design, compact footprint, energy efficiency, full automation, customizable components, and comprehensive end-to-end services from design to ongoing operations.
How does Epic Cleantec's solution support production scalability?
The modular and scalable design of Epic Cleantec's systems allows beverage producers to expand production capacity without requiring additional water resources, supporting business growth even in water-constrained regions.
What types of beverage facilities can benefit from Epic Cleantec's solutions?
Wineries, breweries, and distilleries of all sizes can benefit from Epic Cleantec's water reuse systems, as they are adaptable to a wide range of facility scales and operational needs.
How does Epic Cleantec address aging water infrastructure challenges?
Epic Cleantec's decentralized water reuse systems reduce the strain on aging municipal water infrastructure by treating and recycling water onsite, improving reliability and reducing costs for beverage producers.
What is the business impact of using Epic Cleantec's water reuse systems?
Customers can expect cost savings, enhanced sustainability profiles, improved operational efficiency, alignment with ESG goals, and resilience to water scarcity, making Epic Cleantec's solutions a strategic investment for beverage producers.
How can I calculate water use and potential savings for my facility?
You can contact Epic Cleantec to calculate your water use and discover potential savings with sustainable brewing and winery wastewater management. Calculate Your Water Use.
What ongoing maintenance is required for Epic Cleantec's systems?
Epic Cleantec provides comprehensive operations and maintenance services, including regular site visits, preventative maintenance, and 24/7 support, ensuring that systems run efficiently with minimal manual oversight required from facility staff.
How does Epic Cleantec's solution help with regulatory compliance?
Epic Cleantec assists with design, permitting, and installation to ensure that water reuse systems meet all regulatory requirements for beverage production facilities, supporting compliance and risk management.
How can I learn more about Epic Cleantec's technology?
You can learn more about Epic Cleantec's water reuse technology, including the multi-step treatment process and integration options, by visiting the technology overview page.
