Brewers are also a perfect match because as major water users they have a particular interest in high quality water as well as sustainable supplies.

“Water issues are always something that is on our mind in Arizona and the Southwest,” said Friedman of Wanderlust.

Water that was delivered to the brewers went through a purification process that includes ultra filtration, reverse osmosis and ultraviolet disinfection.

In fact, brewers said the water is so pure that they had to add in minerals and salts to approximate the water they get from the city.

Friedman said he used the purified water as an opportunity to add in fewer minerals and brew a beer that has a flavor complemented by water with a lighter mineral profile.

Testing of the water was also extensive, with analysis that covered more than 230 constituents -- much more extensive than federal drinking water standards, which require monitoring of only 77 constituents, said Jeff Prevatt, the research and innovation manager at Pima County’s wastewater reclamation department, which is involved in the challenge.

The treatment equipment is housed in a repurposed shipping container hauled to different water treatment plants around the state via semi-truck.