Page 121 - AJWEP-v22i2

Treated wastewater for concrete mixing

or asphalt). Globally, the concrete industry consumes produce compost, which is widely used in agriculture.
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almost one trillion gallons of water annually. 4 In some cases, reclaimed wastewater can even be used
While an adequate water supply is essential to to cultivate spirulina. 16
generate a workable concrete mix that can be properly This study focuses on the use of recycled wastewater
mixed, placed, compacted, and finished, using less water in the production and curing of concrete. In addition to
generally results in superior concrete with improved environmental benefits, the use of treated wastewater in
strength characteristics. Water is also required for concrete manufacturing may offer financial advantages.
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various concrete-related processes, including aggregate By introducing the construction industry—a constantly
washing, cleaning of batching plants, and rinsing of expanding sector in most economies – as a key consumer
concrete mixer trucks. 6 of treated wastewater, investment in wastewater treatment
Cement-based materials can be produced using any and reuse technologies can be further incentivized. 17,18
potable water, provided it contains no harmful levels of The current research aims to:
acids, salts, alkalis, oils, sugar, or organic compounds. • Investigate the potential applications of various
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Water that is highly alkaline or acidic, contains algae, or wastewater sources, including treated industrial and
has elevated chloride concentrations should be avoided, sewage water, for use in the production and curing
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as it can negatively impact the setting, hardening, and of concrete.
strength development of concrete. • Evaluate the durability and strength of concrete
Due to the increasing scarcity of potable water, the structures when treated wastewater is used in place
search for alternative sources has gained momentum. of potable water.
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Potential substitutes often contain higher concentrations • Analyze the economic benefits of employing sewage
of dissolved chemicals and suspended particulates and treatment plants (STPs) in concrete manufacturing,
include sources such as saltwater, treated industrial particularly in reducing potable water consumption
wastewater, treated sewage wastewater, wastewater and sewage water treatment costs.
from carwash service stations, runoff from ready-mix • Assess the potential health risks and environmental
concrete plants, and wastewater from stone-cutting impacts associated with the use of treated wastewater
operations. When adequately treated, all of these water in concrete construction.
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resources have been shown to produce concrete with • Explore the potential for expanding treated
acceptable strength and durability. Water usage in the wastewater markets and investment opportunities
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construction industry is nearly proportional to concrete by targeting the construction sector as a major
production. As a result, using partially or fully treated consumer.
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wastewater in concrete manufacturing could reduce the
demand for potable water and lower the cost associated 2. Materials and methods
with wastewater treatment. Despite environmental
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and public health concerns, wastewater continues to be This study was based on the characterization of
used in concrete applications in various regions. Treated wastewater and the evaluation of concrete prepared
sewage wastewater refers to domestic, municipal, and using treated wastewater as a replacement for potable
industrial wastewater that has undergone treatment to water. The primary materials investigated were treated
remove all pollutants and suspended particles before wastewater and concrete, both of which underwent
discharge into the environment. Producing such detailed laboratory analysis.
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treated effluent requires a combination of physical,
chemical, and biological treatment processes to ensure 2.1. Sampling
compliance with environmental safety standards. A To ensure high quality and strict compliance with
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by-product of this process is sewage sludge, a semi- environmental standards, treated sewage water samples
solid waste that requires further treatment before it can were collected daily from the outlet of 10 million liters-
be safely disposed of on land. 12 per-day (MLD) STP in Bambianwali. These samples
Reclaimed water, often referred to as recycled water, underwent comprehensive and rigorous laboratory
is wastewater that has been treated to remove suspended analysis to determine critical parameters, such as pH, total
and solid particles. It has a wide range of applications, suspended solids (TSS), chemical (COD) and biological
such as irrigation, concrete production, groundwater oxygen demand (BOD), and the concentrations of key
replenishment, and landscaping. Sludge generated nutrients such as sulfate, chloride, sodium, nitrate, and
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during this process is often mixed with biowaste to fecal coliform (F. coli) (Figure 1 & 2).

Volume 22 Issue 2 (2025) 115 doi: 10.36922/AJWEP025060033