What Sewage Treatment and Brewing Have in Common

The similarities and differences between sewage and brewage

In both wastewater treatment and fermentation, humans co-opt microorganisms to convert a less desirable liquid into a better one. This video explores the secondary wastewater treatment process through the lens of homebrewing.

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This is not engineering advice. Everything here is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Contact an engineer licensed to practice in your area if you need professional advice or services. All non-licensed clips used for fair use commentary, criticism, and educational purposes.

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This video is sponsored by HelloFresh.
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Tonic and Energy by Elexive is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License
Producer/Writer/Host: Grady Hillhouse
Editor/Production Assistant: Wesley Crump
Script Editor: Ralph Crewe

[briangarrow]

I spent a couple of decades as a wastewater treatment plant professional. Retired now and one of my hobbies is home brewing. All that time in the lab must have been somewhat enjoyable for me to consider brewing an option for a hobby.

[michaelroy]

When I was doing my chemistry PhD, I looked a lot into the limitations for what we were allowed to dispose of down the drain. Some of the results were quite surprising, as they were mediated more by the effect the pollutants would have on the sewer microbes rather than humans! Lead? - no big deal. Nickel? - keep that antimicrobial stuff out!

[Lunavii_Cellest]

i always knew Heineken had alot in common with sewage

[brewerywastewaterdesign]

Good job. There is a whole world out there specific to brewery wastewater. The short story is high BOD wastewater coming from a brewery and also highly variable pH. It can be very challenging depending on local conditions.

[Tactcat]

really cool analogies between sewage and brewing :) never thought about it like that

[Jamsterman]

“Even though we’re made of cells just like everyone else” 😂 that dad joke made me cackle

[picsi-software]

Perth Australia injects water back into our aquifers - which we pull for drinking water and other uses

[luskibendyfork]

As a Professional Brewer, I approve this message!

[cooperised]

Oof, that thumbnail though. Might not have a beer tonight after all 😂

[somebod]

"Bartender! This drink tastes like crap!"
"Oh, sorry. I must have used the pink tap."

[Pawsome_Opossum]

(Near the) Home of Bourbon making, the University of Kentucky’s Mining Department is actually working on processing bourbon stillage into something that you can just pour straight down the drain. As you can imagine, the micrörganisms are a bit out of our league.

I cannot speak much to the project as a mere undergraduate, but in addition to the electronic (and the attempt at solar panel) recycling, I’d say that we are a bit more than just coal mining.

[TerryShillito]

My favorite soil amendment uses "Activated Sewage Sludge" as the primary ingredient. Kellogs (SoCal area) has been using it for many decades. I'm curious if the Sewage Sludge or the other amendments are the secret to making plants grow so well

[tapalmer]

"Biological Buggies"... Seems like a Nobel prize should be on its way

[VNLIFE_CANADA]

Wonder if your kids know that you are out here educating all of us adults 🤣 with you it's like back to school but the nice way!

[gin]

Brewers/distillers refer to the starting sugar solution as a wash, but as an extremely old and necessary profession I bet there are some funner words out there.

[agentjeb]

You can combine both arts by brewing prison toiled wine :^)

[chrisjuhl]

I was expecting a mention of Milorganite. Reuse of waste for sure.

[Nevir]

What a brilliant concept for a video. Not so much the video itself, but that he’s found a way to write off his home brewing kit on his taxes as a business expense LOL. 🤣

[gabrielkinzel]

Based on the title, I would have guessed that this was posted on April 1st

[deeser]

Only in the USA would you stick a giant flag on a sludge containment unit! :D As always, really informative stuff and I hope you enjoy the rocket fuel cider you#ve produced x