Follow brewers’ waste water lead: Paterson

By Laurence Gibbons

- Last updated on GMT

Paterson has called on more firms to follow Sheperd Neame's lead
Paterson has called on more firms to follow Sheperd Neame's lead
Environmental secretary Owen Paterson has called on food and drink businesses to follow the lead of Shepherd Neame brewery, after it completed a £3M development to cut water waste at its Faversham site in Kent.

The new plant will help the company reduce its level of water consumption by approximately 40%.

The facility recycles the waste water from brewing and cleaning, which had previously been sent down the drain.

“It is great to see a traditional brewery use cutting edge technology to reduce its water footprint,” ​said Paterson. “This new plant will not only improve the environment but help grow the rural economy. It is an excellent example of innovation and I hope others are inspired to follow their lead."

Chalk-filtered mineral water from the artesian well beneath the brewery will now only be used for brewing and the newly recovered water will be used for cleaning.

‘Long term solution’

Shepherd Neame chief executive Jonathan Neame said the development work, which took a year to complete, would provide a long–term solution for the company’s waste water.

“This is a considerable investment for the company and the plant provides a long–term solution for our brewery’s waste water. Excellent quality water is the lifeblood of any brewery and we’re delighted this facility will reduce our load on local infrastructure and improve our sustainability.”

The day-to-day operation of the site will be run by sustainable water and utility specialist Ondeo Industrial Solutions.

Meanwhile, watch our exclusive video interviews with Paterson in which he said EU food regulations were too trusting,​ and that food manufacturers were better off​ under the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs leadership.

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