Use of contaminated water in concrete production and its effects on mechanical properties and sustainability

Due to increasing scarcity of freshwater and industrialization, alternative water source fulfils the need for demand in infrastructure sector. The treated water source containing various elements such as dissolved salts, trace elements and other organic matters. The quality of water has a considerable effect on workability, mechanical properties, and durability. The aim and objective of this review are to elucidate and highlight the effects of water contamination on fresh and hardened concrete. The main water parameters that affect concrete are chloride, sulfate, nitrate, and phosphate ions. These parameters adversely affect compressive strength, setting time, and hydration. The presence of excessive nitrate and phosphate ions in water causes corrosion of reinforcement bars. The desirable limits for each water parameter used in concrete mixing are set by standards such as IS 456–2000, ASTM C1602, and EN 906. Increased chloride and sulfate ion concentrations are known to affect setting time and early strength. In extreme environmental conditions, sulfate ions can cause sulfate attack. The aim and objective of this review are to provide an overview of water quality used for concrete mixing.