. >> reporter: norton is the founder of sinagua malt. every week it converts 8,000 pounds of raw barley into malted barley. this process involves soaking the kernels in water to germinate and then drying them to encourage fermentation. this barley is a key ingredient in beer and this plant just might help save the lol water supply. to understand why that is, you first have to visit the largest body of water in the- the verde river. the more than 150 mile river runs through censual arizona and orts irrigation of local farms-- which are among the heaviest users of watehe area. ts also provides water to downstream resid but effects from long term drought, climate change, and development along its threaten its ability to deliver wateto mlions of people an farms that depend on it. >> the ver river is a pretty amazing river and it's very resilient, and has flow in the river, but we have a few places where the flo really low and you know it's almost dry. >> reporter: kimberly schonek is the verde river program director for the non-profit enviro