The evaluation of using alternative water sources in concrete production

In the light of drinking water scarcity and the lack of available water, the problem of water sustainability has become a hot topic. The feasibility of employing three water sources in the manufacturing of concrete will be investigated in this work: using tap water as a reference. Water coming from the cooling system of an electrical power station as recycled water, and well water as alternative natural water). Several tests were carried out on the above water sources, and from the results, all alternative sources were suitable for the manufacture of plain concrete, except well water. in order to examine the effects of each water source's properties on concrete strength, cubes, and cylinders concrete specimens were prepared. To assess the short- and long-term impacts of water sources on concrete strength, compression and splitting tensile strength tests were conducted on the material at ages of 7, 28, and 90 days. The results referred to rapid development in strength at early ages for specimens prepared with recycled water from electric power stations. While at 28- and 90-days close results of compressive strength for tap water and electric power station wastewater were found with 32 MPa and 36 MPa for tap water and 33 MPa and 36 MPa respectively. In contrast, concrete strength deteriorates for concrete prepared with well water.