Nestled in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, Barley Creek Brewing Company has built a reputation as one of the region’s original brewpub destinations since opening in 1995. Known for crafting more than 100 styles of beer and spirits over the years, the brewery’s continued growth also brought increasing demands on its wastewater treatment infrastructure.
“Barley Creek’s existing wastewater treatment system was antiquated, and plans to replace only the decanter were no longer practical. The project evolved into a complete treatment system upgrade,” explained Pete Huha of HuhaMechanical Services, who worked closely on the installation.
The existing wastewater system was upgraded with a larger, fully modernized wastewater treatment system housed in a new building. Sara Martin of Clear Path Engineering Solutions provided engineering plans and support to accommodate Barley Creek’s growing wastewater concerns from micro brewing beer and hospitality operations.
Completed in 2021, the upgraded wastewater treatment plant incorporated several Tsurumi products, including five 50TRN21.5 submersible aerator-mixers, VANCS series corrosion resistant pumps, C Series cutter pumps, and FHP decanters. The equipment was selected to support reliable aeration, solids handling, and overall treatment performance within the brewery’s wastewater process.
According to Barley Creek proprietor Trip Ruvane and the project team, the Tsurumi equipment has operated successfully as designed since startup. “Currently, the wastewater treatment plant uses several Tsurumi pumps, the decanter, and the TRN aerator-mixers,” said Trip. “The equipment is working as designed."
For facilities such as breweries and distilleries, wastewater treatment can present unique operational challenges due to varying organic loads and production demands. Reliable equipment and long-term durability are critical to maintaining smooth operations while meeting environmental requirements.
The Barley Creek project demonstrates how a properly engineered wastewater treatment upgrade can help breweries modernize aging infrastructure while improving operational reliability for years to come.
Today, the Tsurumi-supported system continues to help Barley Creek maintain efficient wastewater treatment operations behind the scenes, allowing the brewery to stay focused on what it does best — serving guests and crafting beverages that have made it a Pocono Mountains destination for decades.
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