Feasibility of Using Ready Mix Concrete Plants Wash Water as Mixing Water in Concrete

Abstract

<title>Abstract</title> Egypt relies heavily on the Nile River as its main source of drinking water. With Ethiopia's new dam and Egypt's increasing population, researchers anticipate a major water shortage. In response, the Egyptian government has launched several initiatives, such as canal linings and seawater desalination plants, to prevent potential water loss. This research aims to offer a solution by reducing the use of potable water in concrete production, which currently accounts for over 16% of the country's fresh water consumption. The proposed approach involves using recycled wash water from ready-mix plants instead of potable water. At present, these plants use potable water for washing. Each cubic meter of concrete produced requires 70 litres of wash water for the truck mixer and pump. By replacing potable water with recycled wash water, potable water usage could decrease by 30%. Given Egypt's concrete production levels, this could save around 11 million cubic meters of water annually. This saved water could irrigate 70,000 feddans using traditional methods or 420,000 feddans with advanced irrigation techniques. This research explores the feasibility of using wash water in concrete by examining four replacement ratios: 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%. The findings suggest that while wash water can be used in concrete with an optimal replacement ratio with potable water.