In water management, we assume great responsibility and consideration towards the ecological and social needs of the relevant region. We save water consistently, focusing mainly on the following areas:

• Reducing water consumption in the production process
• Monitoring water resources and treating water responsibly, with consideration to the relevant region's needs
• Applying principles of responsible water management for water resources, including those of our partners
• Minimising negative impacts on the environment in waste water management

OUR INITIATIVES

Average water consumption

Beer comprises over 90 % water. To produce 1 hectolitre of beer, you need 5 hectolitres of water (global average). The average water use per hectolitre of lager in the Plzeňský Prazdroj breweries equals a mere 4.1 hectolitres, of which the Velké Popovice and Radegast breweries are true champions since their water consumption per hectolitre of lager does not exceed 3 hl.

Water sources and water quality

Plzeňský Prazdroj monitors water source availability and water quality in great detail. All four breweries have had their own water sources. The water well in the brewery in Pilsen serves as a back-up source for the city in case of emergency.

Roudná water source

The brewery in Pilsen has reconstructed its historical spring area, the drinking water source originating from the year 1900. Owing to this, as well as to state-of-the-art technologies, the water used during the production of Pilsner Urquell and Gambrinus today is of the same quality as a hundred years ago. Furthermore, new technologies greatly contribute to lower overall water consumption. The volume of the water supplied for beer production is limited so as not to disturb the natural balance in the locality of the Pilsen Basin and maintain the reserve of ground water for domestic wells.

Waste water treatment and biotechnology

Both the Radegast Brewery and the Velké Popovice Brewery have implemented waste water treatment with state-of-the-art biotechnologies. Organic-polluted water is directed through tanks containing a special culture of methanogenic bacteria, which are able to liquidate waste substances, transforming 90 % of them into biogas. Biogas is usable as a heating fuel while waste sludge is used as an inoculation substance when developing new waste water treatment plants. Due to this modern technology, the breweries have reduced their electric energy consumption, water consumption, emission and waste volumes.

Storm and ground water treatment plant

During its five-year trial period, the biological treatment system designed for drainage and storm water in the Radegast Nošovice brewery has cleaned 334,000 m³ of water. The project, costing over 6 million Czech crowns, is now moving into permanent operation. The storm water flowing from the brewery premises is retained and cleaned by a system of ponds insulated from other waters. This is a natural way of treatment which places no demands on energy consumption. Not only has it not interfered with the landscape of the Morávka valley river bed, it has had a positive influence on the biotope, making it possible to reintroduce the original fauna and flora, such as the muskrat and spotted salamander.