In recognition of the importance of environment preservation, TAPB (Thai Asia Pacific Brewery Co., Ltd.) chose to follow
into the footsteps of His Majesty the King with the initiation of the ‘Water for Life’ project. The ‘Water for Life’ project is a research
on how to increase the efficiency ofwastewater treatment for brewery wastewater by adopting the ‘nature-by-nature’ approach.

The programme has gained the cooperation from the Laem Phak Bia Environmental Research and Development Project and the
Kasetsart University’s College of Environmental Studies.

The success of TAPB’s brewery will contribute to promoting the adoption of the Royal Initiative for the benefit of society.
TAPB takes exceptional pride to play a role in preserving the environment for future generations.

Environmental experts from the Laem Phak Bia Project inspected the designated ‘Water for Life’ area at TAPB’s brewery in preparation for the construction of a cultivation plot for plants. Pre-treated water from the brewery’s wastewater treatment system is channeled into the cultivation plot measuring 100 meters long. Two systems have been adopted, namely the constructed wetland system and the plant and grass filtration system, in the experimental plot. Both systems depend on certain types of water plants and soil-borne microbes to treat effluents from the wastewater. The difference between the two treatment systems lies in the method and duration of water storage for treatment.

Constructed wetland system
Pre-treated wastewater from the brewery is continuously channeled into the constructed wetland where it is stored for one day for treatment.
After one day, the treated wastewater is then released into natural water sources.

Plant and grass filtration system
Pre-treated wastewater from the brewery is funneled into the treatment plot and kept for five days for treatment process. After five days,
the treated water will be released. The plot is then left to dry for two days before a new batch of wastewater is channeled into the treatment system,
and the cycle is then repeated.

In preparing the area for wastewater treatment, five treatment plots – each 5 meters wide, 100 meters long and 1 meter deep – were prepared.
At the top of the plots, water drainage towers with control valves were built. The rear of the plots was designed to drain water treated
via filtration through soil strata. The treated water is allowed to flow into a pipeline and then to a water channel. The base of the plot is laid with
compacted coarse sand. A mixture of soil and sand is then poured on the base. Water is then added to moisturize the soil, making it soft enough
to grow plants.

When the soil is ready, saplings are planted. Pre-treated wastewater from the brewery is used to nurture the saplings for about one week to
let them get accustomed to their new condition before the wastewater is released continuously into the treatment system.

The types of plants used are those commonly found in natural wetlands such as Typha Canna, and two types of feed grasses namely Star
and Kalla. Each strain of the plant is grown in a separate plot. One plot, left uncultivated, is the control unit.



When the plants are fully grown, their absorption of nutrients is reduced due to the age and type of plant. Hence, these plants need to be trimmed
and later harvested. The Typha has a 90-day maturity period while the Canna and pasture grasses reach maturity in 45 days.

The brewery hires members from the local communities to look after and harvest the plants for commercial use to supplement their income e.g. to
make local handicrafts. The grass is also used as animal feed. These are means to generate income for the community. The working group is also
working with local agencies to study how natural by-products from the brewing processes can be put to use in the community.

The area also features a Thai-designed ‘sala’ where information of the Royal Projects is exhibited, and is intended to serve as an educational,
environmental and inspirational model for others.