NewBrew, a collaboration between Singapore National Water Service and local brewery Brewerkz, has already proved popular and has run out of brewery restaurants, according to reports. Brewerkz describes beer as “very ungrateful” and suitable for Singapore’s tropical climate, with a soft, toasted honey-like aftertaste. But it also aims to shed light on the climate emergency and the growing threat posed by droughts and floods to supply the world with fresh water. Subscribe to the First Edition, our free daily newsletter – every morning at 7 p.m. BST Singapore, a densely populated city-state, is particularly vulnerable to water scarcity due to a lack of natural water resources and a lack of space for water collection and storage facilities. The country has invested in new ways to ensure sustainable supply and reduce its dependence on water imported from neighboring Malaysia. This includes methods such as rainwater collection, seawater desalination and wastewater treatment. Brew uses NEWater, sewage treated by the Singapore Public Service Council with microfiltration and reverse osmosis, as well as ultraviolet light to remove contaminants, bacteria and viruses. The end result goes through the drinking water guidelines set by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the World Health Organization. NEWater is mainly used for refrigeration and industrial processes, as well as for filling tanks and is going to cover 55% of Singapore’s water needs by 2060. Unpredictable weather and a growing population have prompted a growing number of countries to turn to recycled wastewater to reduce supplies. Some breweries have also incorporated recycled water into their products, such as in Canada, Germany and the USA. The first batch of NEWBrew has already sold out at Brewerkz restaurants, according to Bloomberg. The company is expected to expect stocks in supermarkets to run out by the end of the month, but will consider making another batch.
