Yorkshire Water makes concrete from recycled wastewater

After it has passed through wastewater treatment plants, water is normally returned to rivers and must meet standards set by the Environmental Agency. Despite being below drinking quality, the water is nonetheless suitable for reuse in some industrial processes.

The reuse of water has the potential to reduce pressure on Yorkshire Water’s drinking water supply network, lower the cost of water treatment, and reduce carbon emissions.

At its site in Bradford, Tarmac used the water to create batches of concrete, which were then transported to Yorkshire Water’s Esholt wastewater treatment plant. There, it was poured into a series of 10 x 20 m slabs. These slabs will be used as the foundations for a National Test Centre for emerging water technologies.

Over time, the concrete slabs will be tested to assess their strength, colour, and long-term weathering properties. These tests will confirm that the product is suitable for widespread use.

If the trial is successful, Yorkshire Water will look to further develop reused water supplies for concrete manufacturers and other business users across the region. This will sit alongside their existing clean water network.

“Water supply and protecting the environment are two of our Five Big Goals, so this is a priority for us,” said Phillip Blaen, Yorkshire Water Project Manager. “We are excited about this project and the benefits it can bring to our customers.”

“Water conservation is an important part of our resource efficiency programme, supporting Tarmac’s commitment to embedding circular economic thinking across the whole chain,” said Shaun Davidson, Managing Director for North and South Scotland for Tarmac. “We are really pleased to be working in partnership with Yorkshire Water to see this innovative project come to fruition.”

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/europe-cis/24102018/yorkshire-water-makes-concrete-from-recycled-wastewater/