Tooheys Reverse Osmosis Water Recycling

Tooheys Brewery Recycled Water System – Advancing Sustainable Water Use

At the Tooheys Brewery, Triplenine Group delivered a high-performance reverse osmosis (RO) recycled water system designed to significantly reduce water consumption and support long-term sustainability outcomes.

This project forms part of Lion’s broader commitment to reducing environmental impact and investing in practical solutions that improve water efficiency, support decarbonisation, and contribute to a more circular approach to resource use.

Sustainability Outcomes & Water Savings

The system now plays a pivotal role in reducing the brewery’s water footprint by:

• Recovering up to 30% of water used in cleaning and pre-production processes

• Saving approximately 270 million litres of water annually

• Equivalent to:

  • 108 Olympic-sized swimming pools every year

  • Over 5.3 million kegs of water saved annually

• Delivering >$700,000 in annual cost savings

By implementing a unique and efficient water recycling process, the project demonstrates how large-scale industrial facilities can make a substantial impact in reducing water waste and protecting valuable resources.

Smart, Efficient Water Recovery Technology

At the core of the solution is a fully integrated RO system engineered for reliability and performance:

• 80 m³/h average permeate production

• 60–70% recovery rate from MBR filtrate

• Automated performance monitoring and optimisation

• Advanced self-cleaning (CIP) functionality to maintain efficiency and extend membrane life

The system is built as a compact, European-manufactured skid, ensuring consistent quality, rapid installation, and long-term operational reliability.

Integrated Treatment & Reuse Systems

To ensure high-quality recycled water suitable for reuse across the facility, the system incorporates:

• UV disinfection with continuous UVT monitoring

• Chlorine dioxide dosing for residual protection

• Soft remineralisation for process stability

• Full integration into the site’s PLC and utilities infrastructure

The recycled water is utilised for non-product applications such as surface cleaning and cooling, reducing reliance on potable water without compromising product integrity.

End-to-End Project Delivery

Triplenine Group delivered a complete turnkey solution, including:

• Design collaboration and system integration

• Fabrication, testing, and installation of the RO system

• Mechanical, electrical, and civil works

• Full integration of piping, utilities, and control systems

Setting a Benchmark for Sustainable Manufacturing

Water is one of the most critical inputs in brewing, and projects like this highlight how innovation in water treatment can deliver meaningful environmental outcomes.

This installation sets a benchmark for best-practice water usage in the Australian brewing industry, demonstrating how businesses can adopt practical solutions that reduce consumption, improve efficiency, and contribute to long-term water resilience.

As highlighted in the project, every drop of water is valuable, and through initiatives like this, large-scale operations can play a leading role in conserving resources for the future.