Yorkshire Water makes concrete from recycled wastewater

Yorkshire Water has begun a trial with reused treated water which it hopes will inform the way water is provided to businesses.

In what the company describes as a “UK industry first,” Yorkshire Water has transferred reused water from a wastewater treatment plant to construction solutions provider Tarmac to produce concrete.

Reusing water has the potential to reduce pressure on the drinking water supply network, lower the costs of water treatment, and reduce carbon emissions, Yorkshire Water said.

Water is normally returned to rivers after it has passed through wastewater treatment plants and must meet strict Environment Agency standards. Although below drinking water quality, it is suitable for reuse in some industrial processes.

Tarmac used the water to create batches of concrete at its site in Bradford, which were then transported to Yorkshire Water’s Esholt wastewater treatment site where it was poured into a series of 10x20m slabs.  These slabs will be used as foundations for a National Test Centre for emerging water technologies.

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

If successful, Yorkshire Water will look to further develop reused water supplies for concrete manufacturers, as well as other business users, across the region to sit alongside its existing clean water network.

Phillip Blaen, project manager at Yorkshire Water, said: “Water supply and protecting the environment are two of our five big goals so this is a priority for us. We are excited about this project and the benefits it can bring to our customers.”

Tarmac managing director for north and Scotland, Shaun Davidson, added: “Water conservation is an important part of our resource efficiency programme supporting Tarmac’s commitment to embedding circular economic thinking across the whole supply chain. We’re really pleased to be working in partnership with Yorkshire Water to see this innovative project come to fruition.”