Edison's Ice Cream
August 4, 2026
How Greeley and WeldWerks Crafted a Smarter Wastewater Solution
September 29, 2026
Sometimes, the best solutions begin with a simple misunderstanding, and a trip to Sam’s Club. When Greeley's Water and Sewer Director, Sean Chambers, spotted a familiar logo on a beverage pack, he thought he’d found Greeley water bottled for sale. To his surprise, it was WeldWerks beer, crafted with Greeley’s award-winning water, but not the bottled water he expected. This chance encounter sparked a conversation between the City and WeldWerks Brewing Co., thanks to an already strong relationship built through community events and partnerships. While the City was curious about bottling water, the discussion quickly turned to an industry-wide challenge: wastewater billing for breweries.
Like many water utilities, Greeley traditionally charged breweries for wastewater based on the total amount of water supplied to their facility. But as WeldWerks pointed out, a large share of that water isn’t sent down the drain, it leaves the building as finished beer. That means breweries are often billed for wastewater they do not produce, an issue that’s both costly and unfair.
Together, the City’s Water and Sewer team and WeldWerks got to work. Because breweries must already report the volume of water that goes into beer production for state and federal regulations, WeldWerks was able to share existing data with the City. The Water and Sewer team then created an annual reporting system: each year, the number of gallons that become beer (and leave Greeley as a finished product) are subtracted from the brewery’s total water usage. This means WeldWerks is only billed for the water that actually becomes wastewater, no new meters, no extra equipment, just smart use of information already on hand.
“Collaborating with local businesses like WeldWerks allows us to find creative, real-world solutions that benefit everyone in our community, our industry partners and the city itself. Our goal is to listen first, then design solutions that make sense for both our operations and the unique needs of the businesses we serve. We’re proud to be leading the way with innovative programs that not only save businesses money, but also inspire others in the industry to rethink what’s possible.”
— Sean P. Chambers, Director of Greeley Water & Sewer Utilities
The results? WeldWerks now saves 10-15% on wastewater costs, without any investment in new infrastructure. More importantly, this approach sets a precedent for other breweries, across the region and industry. Greeley is beginning to share this solution with other local beverage producers, demonstrating how collaboration can drive industry-wide improvement.
"Partnering with the City of Greeley has been a collaborative experience. The City’s Water and Sewer team took the time to understand how our business operates and worked alongside us to develop a solution that’s fair and practical. Not only does this help us operate more efficiently, but it’s also a model for what’s possible when local businesses and city leaders work together to solve challenges creatively. We encourage other breweries and industry partners to engage with their municipalities, solutions like this benefit everyone and can set new standards for our entire industry. We’re proud to be part of a community that values innovation and teamwork."
— Neil Fisher, Founder & CEO of WeldWerks Brewing Co.
What made this unique solution possible? Greeley’s proactive Key Accounts Program, a rarity among cities our size, means dedicated staff build lasting partnerships with major water users. Our team’s technical expertise, paired with a genuine commitment to customer service, allows us to understand each business’s operations and respond with creative, client-focused solutions. This level of collaboration and flexibility is rare in municipal water management, and it’s what puts Greeley on the map as an industry leader.
This goes to show when cities and local businesses truly work together, with openness, creativity, and a shared sense of purpose, they can solve real problems in ways that help the entire community. Greeley’s partnership with WeldWerks isn’t just about water and beer; it’s about setting a new standard for what’s possible when collaboration leads the way.