June 19, 2025
Efficient water use is a growing priority in modern brewing. While most attention is placed on recipe optimization and energy savings, there's a significant untapped opportunity in reclaiming what’s known as process water - the water left behind after the final rinse step of cleaning-in-place (CIP) systems.
Sometimes referred to as standing water during cleaning cycles, this water is typically discarded despite containing minimal residues. But when properly treated using process filtration, it becomes process water: clean, reusable utility water suitable for non-product-contact applications like crate washing, floor cleaning, or CIP pre-rinses. With the right setup, breweries can significantly reduce water consumption, lower wastewater costs, and improve overall sustainability.
Why recovering process water matters
In a typical brewery, process water can make up around 10% of total water usage.
Left untreated, it adds to operational costs and resource waste. But with modern filtration technologies, this water can be reclaimed for internal reuse, supporting:
- Lower freshwater demand
- Reduced wastewater discharge
- Improved sustainability metrics
- Faster return on investment (ROI)
Process water recovery is a key component of brewery water recycling and a practical example of brewery wastewater reuse strategies.
How process filtration makes process water reusable
The key to reusing process water is a multi-stage process filtration system. Each stage removes specific contaminants, ensuring the water meets internal quality standards for reuse in cleaning or utility applications.
1. Pre-filtration (for example bag filters)
Captures coarse solids and particles, protecting downstream filtration stages.
2. First-stage filtration (PFP-A and PFP pleated fiber filter cartridges)
Removes fine particulate matter, microorganisms, and colloids.
3. Sterile filtration (Using SME⁺ which fall under pleated membrane filter cartridges)
Final barrier to ensure microbiological safety, meeting hygiene requirements for reuse within the brewery.
Filtration stages ensure water quality meets internal standards, often achieving <1 NTU turbidity and microbial levels suitable for utility reuse.
Where recovered process water is used
Treated process water is typically reused for crate washing, floor cleaning, first-stage CIP rinsing, or cooling water makeup - none of which require direct product contact. These applications offer consistent opportunities for reducing both water consumption and operational costs.
Real-world examples: savings and ROI in action
These examples demonstrate how even small or mid-sized breweries can benefit financially from implementing process water recovery.
Brewery A – Annual production: 50,000 hl
- Water use: 3–5 liters per liter of beer = 150,000–250,000 hl/year
- Process water potential: 15,000–25,000 hl/year
- Investment: €30,000 (two-stage filtration)
- Operating cost: ~€3,500/year
- Annual savings: ~€7,500
- Payback period: ~4 years
Brewery B – Annual production: 200,000 hl
- Water use: 600,000–1,000,000 hl/year
- Process water potential: 60,000–100,000 hl/year
- Investment: €120,000 (three-stage filtration)
- Operating cost: ~€12,000/year
- Annual savings: ~€35,000
- Payback period: ~3–4 years
Key considerations for integration
Successfully recovering process water requires the thoughtful and strategic integration of filtration into existing operations.
Key areas to address include:
- System design
Filtration systems should be modular, scalable, and flexible enough to integrate into existing brewery operations while meeting varying production demands.
- Automation
Sensors and automated control units help monitor filtration performance and water quality in real time, enabling efficient and consistent operation.
- Maintenance
Regular upkeep of filters is essential to ensure long-term reliability of the system and maintain consistent water quality for internal reuse.
Atlas Copco filtration technologies in focus
Atlas Copco’s brewery filtration systems are designed for easy integration into any process water treatment setup.
These process filters help breweries align with modern sustainability standards, improving both efficiency and environmental compliance. Whether you're scaling up or retrofitting, our systems are built for durability, performance, and full compliance with brewing requirements.
Reclaiming process water is a smart, future-focused strategy that helps breweries cut costs, reduce waste, and improve operational resilience.
Our experts can help you evaluate your setup and recommend the right filtration solution, tailored to your water quality, production scale, and sustainability targets.
Speak to a specialist or explore our process filtration range for breweries.
FAQ: Process water recovery in breweries
Understanding how breweries can recover and reuse process water is a critical part of sustainable brewing operations. The following section covers some of the most common questions about process water in brewing, how it differs from brewery wastewater, what types of filtration systems are used in beer filtration, and the overall benefits of water reuse in breweries, including cost savings and sustainability gains.
Whether you're just exploring the idea or planning an upgrade to your beer filtration system, these insights will help clarify your next steps.
What is process water in brewing?
In brewing, process water refers to non-product-contact water, such as final rinse water from clean-in-place (CIP) systems. This water is typically low in contaminants and, with proper filtration, can be reused internally for tasks like crate washing, floor cleaning, or CIP pre-rinses.
How is process water different from wastewater
Wastewater from brewing often contains organic load, yeast, and residues that require more intensive treatment. Process water, by contrast, is relatively clean, especially if collected after the final rinse. It can often be reclaimed with light filtration, making it a practical candidate for reuse in utility applications.
What filters are used to treat process water?
Filtration setups vary by brewery size and water quality, but a typical system includes:
Pre-filtration (e.g., bag or depth filters) to remove coarse solids
Fine filtration to capture suspended particles, yeast, or haze
Sterile filtration where microbiological control is required
These stages help ensure the treated water meets hygiene and turbidity requirements for utility reuse.
What are the benefits of brewery water recovery?
Recovering process water can lead to:
Reduced freshwater usage, especially in cleaning cycles
Lower wastewater discharge and treatment costs
Improved sustainability performance
Faster return on investment, depending on production volume and reuse application
Even mid-sized breweries can reduce overall water consumption and operating costs with properly integrated recovery systems.
