Water technology company Cambrian and brewing giant Anheuser-Busch have received international recognition for an innovative wastewater treatment project at the brewery's Houston facility. The project was awarded Distinction in the Industrial Project of the Year category at the 2025 Global Water Awards, highlighting its significant environmental and technological achievements.
The collaborative project features Cambrian's BlueCycle™ membrane bioreactor system, which treats over 400,000 gallons of high-strength wastewater daily. The advanced treatment process produces water of drinking water quality, which is then reused onsite for non-potable purposes, dramatically reducing the brewery's freshwater consumption.
Key project metrics demonstrate substantial environmental and economic benefits. Over its 20-year contract term, the system is projected to treat 3.45 billion gallons of water, lower water and wastewater costs by 20%, and prevent more than 23,000 tons of CO₂ emissions. Notably, the project was implemented without upfront capital investment from Anheuser-Busch, as Cambrian financed, built, and now operates the system.
The project's innovative financing model, known as a Water-Energy Purchase Agreement (WEPA), represents a significant shift in infrastructure deployment. Under this model, Cambrian charges only by the gallon treated, with embedded personnel managing operations and ensuring performance. This approach removes maintenance burdens from the brewery and provides a scalable template for industrial water management.
The collaboration originated through Anheuser-Busch's 100+ Accelerator sustainability innovation platform and marks the first full-scale deployment of Cambrian's WEPA model in the beverage industry. The award from Global Water Intelligence underscores the project's potential to transform how industries approach water reuse and sustainability.
