The concept of brewing beer using reclaimed water submitted by Pima County’s Southwest Water Campus members has landed a spot as a top five finalist for
The New Arizona Prize: Water Innovation Challenge. The team will advance its proposal to a selection committee and live audience on Nov. 3 for a chance at winning the $250,000 prize.
The Southwest Water Campus entry is comprised of members from
Pima County Regional Wastewater Reclamation Department (RWRD),
Tucson Water,
Town of Marana,
University of Arizona,
Carollo Engineers,
CH2M,
Clean Water Services and
Water Reuse.
“Being selected as a top five finalist is a great honor,” said Jeff Prevatt, team lead for the Southwest Water Campus entry. “Our team is extremely excited for the opportunity to engage all citizens in the discussion about water quality and our One Water approach for securing additional sources of water for Arizona.”
The team's proposal involves using reclaimed water to brew beer. They would create a mobile potable reuse treatment facility to travel through various Arizona cities and towns. The water treatment facilities for each jurisdiction would then partner with local breweries to see who can create the best tasting beer using reclaimed water. Watch the team's Water Innovation Challenge video to learn more about its proposal.
In 2014, the
Arizona Community Foundation partnered with
Republic Media and
Morrison Institute for Public Policy to host philanthropic prize competitions to attract innovative ideas. The Water Innovation Challenge is the second competition of its kind. This challenge will award a $250,000 prize to a team in an Arizona community that develops the most innovative and inventive market-based, technological or entrepreneurial solution to advance the sustainability of its water future.
The foundation received a total of 23 entries for this competition.
RWRD, the
City of Phoenix,
Arizona State University Foundation for a New American University,
Friends of Verde River Greenway and Freshwater Systems LLC made the list of top five finalists.
All five teams will advance their proposals to a Selection Committee on Nov. 3 during an event held at the Renaissance Hotel Phoenix, 100 North 1st Street . Each team will present its proposals to the committee and answer a couple of questions. Final judging and the official announcement of the $250,000 prize winner will take place during the event.
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