After more than two decades of crafting premium wines, beer and cider on Tamborine Mountain, Mountain Beverage Group - home to Witches Falls Winery, Boxer Brewing Co, and Eighth Day Cider - has unveiled a state-of-the-art wastewater treatment system that sets a new benchmark for sustainability in the beverage industry.“For 22 years, we’ve produced exceptional drinks while striving to tread lightly on the land,” said Head Brewer, Abby Heslop.“From the start, environmental stewardship has been at the heart of what we do.”
A Commitment to Sustainability
With the launch of the industry-leading wastewater solution, Abby is proud to reaffirm that commitment - not just for today, but for the next 50 years and beyond. The new green infrastructure is designed with both capacity and conservation in mind. The system currently handles over 5,000 litres of wastewater per day, with built-in flexibility for easy expansion to 10,000 litres to support future growth across all three brands. Whether it’s water used in the winemaking, brewing, or cider production process, this technology ensures that wastewater is treated and managed to the highest environmental and best-practice standards.
Protecting Local Waterways
One of the key motivators behind this project was the unique location. “Tamborine Mountain is not only home to our businesses but also to important natural waterways.” “The neighbouring property downhill is the start of Sandy Creek, which ultimately flows into the Albert River - a vital part of the region’s ecosystem. “Ensuring no impact on this delicate waterway was a top priority throughout the design and implementation phases.
The Wastewater Solution
The Country Wide Wastewater installed system uses a combination of biological treatment and advanced filtration to purify wastewater, returning it safely to the environment or reusing it where appropriate. David Lonergan from Country Wide Wastewater said, “It’s low energy, highly efficient, and designed to exceed regulatory requirements - a best-practice model for other small-to-medium beverage producers in environmentally sensitive areas.”
Investing in the Future
This project represents more than an upgrade. It is a long-term investment in the future of the community, products, and the mountain the team call home. “With Boxer Brewing Co now entering its second year, and the continued growth of both Witches Falls Winery and Eighth Day Cider, we knew it was time to build a system that matched the quality and responsibility behind our brands,” said Abby. “We’ve always taken our environmental responsibility seriously.” “This state-of-the-art system is not just about what we need today, but about ensuring we’re set up to protect this environment for the next 50 years.”
