Water scarcity is the biggest concern of the 21st century. We are losing the reserves of water at a very rapid pace. All the sustainable development goals and environmental aims target water safety in many ways. Whether preserving the water for future generations or keeping it safe from contaminants, we are damaging our water bodies.
When it comes to the construction industry, the enormous amount of water that the construction sector uses is a major concern. The industry needs to reevaluate its methods to become more sustainable as the world already struggles with a looming water crisis. Acting now is more important than ever, as estimates indicate that by 2030 there will be a 40% discrepancy between the world’s supply and demand for clean water. However, there is growing pressure on the construction sector, which uses 15% of the freshwater resources worldwide, to use water-efficient practices. This is high time to make necessary changes to conventional construction methods to make the industry more sustainable.
How water is used in the construction industry?
Water is crucial to the construction industry for a number of reasons, including hygienic conditions on job sites, equipment cooling, and dust management. Concrete, a fundamental component of contemporary building, requires the greatest amount of water when it comes to mixing and curing. Every year, the manufacture of concrete alone uses around 1 billion cubic meters of water. Can you imagine how big is this amount? It has proven to achieve considerable reductions in water usage despite legislative initiatives, such as those undertaken by the Construction Leadership Council in the UK. However, there must be an alternative solution to this huge issue.
How can advancement in materials be the solution?
Novel materials that use less water in production are being investigated as a solution to the water crisis. industry experts are trying their best to find innovative alternatives to the concrete which uses less water in the preparation process. Along with the material, the heavy equipment used in the road construction such as a vibratory roller or used road roller also uses a large amount of water in pressing the ground. If we cannot cutoff the water usage, we can work on using recycled water in this process. However, some alternates of concrete are:
Mycelium
Shapeable into bricks, panels, or blocks, mycelium is derived from the root system of fungi. It solidifies substrates, such as agricultural waste, by binding them together. Mycelium is a promising material, but its limited availability, difficult production processes, and lesser strength prevent it from replacing concrete right now.
Hempcrete
Grown with less water, hempcrete is made of hemp fibers combined with lime and water. Compared to regular concrete, it is lighter and simpler to work with. However, because of its reduced strength, it can only be used for internal partitions and insulation, not for structural elements.
Ashcrete
This material uses 10% less water than ordinary concrete by combining fly ash from coal with lime and water. By recycling coal waste, ashcrete encourages a circular economy and improves water conservation.
Green Concrete
Made from recycled waste materials from different industries, green concrete is economical, energy-efficient, and long-lasting. It is a well-liked option for environmentally friendly building since it uses less water during production.
How to enhance everyday water use habits
Although sustainable materials have potential, many of them are either more costly or less robust than regular concrete. But sustainability need not always equate to higher prices or lower quality. It is quite easy to preserve water by cutting off many of the unnecessary water usage habits.
Using Non-Potable Water
If it doesn’t introduce dangerous materials into the concrete, water that isn’t fit for human consumption can be used in buildings. Potable water conservation is aided by this strategy.
On-Site Water Recycling
Water consumption on building sites can be greatly decreased by installing water recycling technologies. These systems purify and repurpose water for many uses, such as equipment cleaning and concrete mixing.
Rainwater Harvesting
one of the most underrated methods to store and use water. People in the rural areas still use this method to store a large amount water to be used in their daily jobs. Those cities that get a high amount of rain must install the rain harvesting system. However, the construction companies on the job site may also install a harvesting plant to collect and use the rain water in their construction jobs.
Fixing Leaks in Equipment
The construction mangers and the workers need to regularly check the equipment for potential leaks and wastage of water. If any damage is found, there must be an immediate fix to avoid further loss of water.
Footnote
With the pressing need to implement more sustainable water practices, the building industry finds itself in a precarious position. Numerous approaches, ranging from cutting-edge materials to cutting-edge WaterTech solutions, might result in appreciably lower water usage. While difficult, the shift to water-efficient practices is required to secure the industry’s and the planet’s sustainability.
