Evoqua Names Bush Brothers & Company Winner of Third Annual Water Sustainability Award

Evoqua Water Technologies, an industry leader in mission-critical water treatment solutions, today named Bush Brothers & Company as the recipient of the 2020 Evoqua Water Sustainability Award. The award recognizes Evoqua customers for their excellence in water stewardship, including those using new or existing technologies in innovative, sustainable ways and companies that have made significant strides in water reduction.

Bush Brothers & Company, America’s largest manufacturer of prepared beans, has been recognized for Evoqua’s annual award after demonstrating multiple noteworthy improvements in its water sustainability efforts. The family owned business has been operating in the small community of Chestnut Hill, Tennessee for more than 110 years, and consistently aims to reduce its impact on the community. For example, when the area was facing water scarcity and drought concerns, Bush Brothers & Company took action to lessen their facility’s strain on limited water resources through a two-phase water reuse project.

BUSH’S Process Water Reuse Facility currently receives and biologically treats wastewater generated from bean rehydration & cleaning, batching of sauces, and plant sanitation operations. The overall system design incorporates sustainability benefits that are highlighted by waste bean solids captured and used for cattle feed, use of anaerobic biogas as boiler fuel, land irrigation of treated water to replenish the water table, and reuse of treated water for non-food contact utility applications. The primary treatment plant operation utilizes multiple Evoqua dissolved air flotation units and the water reuse design utilized Evoqua reverse osmosis units prior to final reuse at utility applications. The technologies and methods currently operating at the Bush Brothers & Company facility are a case study for water intensive industry to maximize reuse and minimize environmental footprint.

“A reflection of our purpose to transform water and enrich life, the Evoqua Sustainability Award proudly celebrates the dedication and innovation of customers deploying technologies and operating practices to reach their sustainability goals,” said Ron Keating, CEO at Evoqua. “Bush Brothers & Company’s achievements in reducing and reusing water and creating sustainable energy have made it an exemplary company and we’re honored to be part of its sustainability journey.”