Treating wastewater as an alternative resource in concrete manufacturing to address water shortage in construction: A review

¹ Research Scholar, Sandip University, Nashik, and Assistant Professor, Ajeenkya DY Patil School of Engineering, Lohegaon, Pune, Maharashtra, India
² Assistant Professor, Sandip University, Nashik 422213, Maharashtra, India
³ Assistant Professor, D. Y. Patil School of Engineering, Akurdi, Pune, Maharashtra, India

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published online: 3 August 2026

Abstract

Freshwater demand is rising worldwide while available supplies grow scarcer. Concrete production consumes large volumes of freshwater for mixing, curing and washing, and rapid industrial growth has placed further stress on water resources. This review examines how the characteristics of different wastewaters affect their reuse as a substitute for potable water in concrete. It summarises the physical and chemical properties of municipal, industrial, grey and other wastewaters and their effects on the workability, setting time, strength, durability and microstructure of concrete, and it considers the treatment methods, costs and policy needs involved. The evidence shows that wastewater can lower the workability of fresh concrete, yet treated water can still give acceptable strength and long-term performance. Treated greywater reduced compressive strength by about 5 to 8 percent, treated domestic wastewater improved workability by about 10 percent, and water reuse achieved cost savings of up to about 12 percent. Reclaimed and tertiary treated wastewater performed better than secondary or industrial wastewater. With adequate treatment, monitoring and standards, wastewater reuse can conserve freshwater and support more economical and ecofriendly concrete construction.