Including High-Strength Byproduct Sidestreaming and Opportunities for Improved Pretreatment Coordination

Industrial pretreatment programs (IPP) are regulatory systems designed to ensure industrial wastewater meets specific standards before entering a community’s sewer system. They are often seen as the answer to community concerns around brewery wastewater impacts. While concerns about brewery wastewater are legitimate, municipalities, IPP coordinators, and brewers rarely consider the full picture of what the other is up against and the true impact and potential value of discharge byproducts (e.g., pH, total suspended solids, biological oxygen demand). High-strength wastewater surcharges can lead to significantly higher operating costs, administrative headaches, and even breweries moving operations. In certain cases, a town or city will reject a potential brewery simply based on concerns over wastewater.

Based on projects happening in Rhode Island and Maine, this data-rich seminar will provide attendees an in-depth understanding of the potential value and impact of their high-strength wastewater byproducts and opportunities to maximize community value while controlling costs through small process changes. Whether currently regulated by an IPP program, at risk of being pulled into one, or simply wanting to do the right thing and reduce operating costs, attendees can expect to return home with a better understanding of the full picture and tools necessary to positively collaborate with your community on this topic.

Learning Objectives:

• Engage in a high level view of wastewater treatment and understand where high-strength brewing byproducts enter the picture
• Discover the overlooked value and true costs associated with brewing byproducts
• Discuss which byproducts to focus on, outcomes that can be expected for each, and specific recommendations to divert them efficiently and affordably
• Explore how to engage with your current or potential municipality with a complete understanding of wastewater impacts on a treatment system and the economic benefits brewers provide
• Hear tips to save additional resources