GILBERT, Ariz. — A Gilbert brewery is taking the term toilet-to-tap literally. Desert Monks Brewing Co. in Gilbert uses purified and recycled wastewater to make some of its beer.
Co-owner John "Chris" Decker said the microbrewery focuses on sustainability and innovation so when they learned the City of Scottsdale was searching for breweries who wanted to participate, they jumped right in.
"We're kind of focused on being experimental," Decker said. "We were completely open to the idea."
It comes at a time when Arizona is searching for ways to address the ongoing water crisis. The City of Scottsdale has purified wastewater for more than 20 years at the only treatment plant of its kind in the state, and one of just three in the country. The treated water has been pumped back into the aquifer. While it hasn't been used as drinking water, businesses like Decker's can purchase the water.
MORE INFORMATION: Recycled wastewater could bail out Arizona as Colorado River cutbacks loom in 2026
"We think it makes a beer better," Decker said. "It's amazingly flavorful and aromatic."
They started experimenting in 2019 with the water. Now, they have three different beers with it. However, Decker knows not all people are a fan of the idea.
"When we first announced it, there's definitely some responses about the ick factor," Decker said.
They are not trying to force it on any customer, which is why Decker said they only use the purified water in some of their beers. Still, he said the feedback from those who have tried it has been positive. Customers said it really does taste like a regular beer.
For small breweries this is a necessary change. Decker said with increased water shortages in the future, it could force his out of business if purchasing water becomes too expensive.
"The lack of water is definitely a concern for a lot of breweries," he said.
Believing it's not if this becomes the norm in Arizona, but when.
There are on-going talks for when this type of water will be coming out of Valley faucets.
"The technology is proven," Karen Peters, cabinet executive officer for the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, said on last weekend's "Sunday Square Off."
"Wastewater is a very reliable source of safe drinking water, so I expect utilities will maximize the use of it."
Peters said recycled water could be coming out of your faucet by 2027.
The Department of Environmental Quality released its "roadmap" for drafting regulations for permitting wastewater treatment plants to supply drinking water.
The state Legislature has set a deadline of Dec. 31, 2024, for DEQ to finish work on the new regulations.
Peters urged the public to participate.
"We are just starting this conversation," Peters said. "We hope to work with water utilities on how to make it as practical and cost-effective as it can be. But we want to hear from everyone."
The City of Phoenix has plans for two wastewater recycling plants.
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