How to save water at construction sites

Water sustainability on construction sites has been considered a relatively low priority compared to the focus on reducing waste and improving your carbon footprint. However, this has started to change as water efficiency moves up the political and environmental agenda due to increasing pressure on water resources.

Construction businesses can also benefit from maximising accreditation with Environmental Assessment Schemes. Even the simple step of effectively monitoring water use on site will deliver direct benefits by helping secure credits under the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM), the Civil Engineering Environmental Quality Assessment and Award Scheme (CEEQUAL) or the Code for Sustainable Homes assessments.

There are several water-saving measures that construction businesses can use to improve efficiency.

Dust suppression (damping down)

The use of efficient nozzle technology to create a more efficient spray pattern for dust suppression and/or the use of wetting additives will improve the water efficiency of bowsers. You can also use dust wetting additives which may help reduce the water consumption of dust suppression activities.

Wheel washing

Some drive-through wheel washing systems do not recycle water. The use of a closed loop wheel wash with settlement tank and recycling system to recycle the water can improve efficiency. Waterless wheel cleaning systems are another innovative option that use angled steel grids to clean debris.

Washing out concrete wagons

Mains pressure hoses with basic spray patterns are water inefficient. Consider using:

• a high-pressure, low-volume efficient spray pattern
• a specially designed sock to cover the chute, which can be an option to minimise water use, reduce spills and eliminate pollution 
• wash out water at concrete batching plants

Water use during commissioning

High volumes of water are used during building envelope and services commissioning and testing. Advanced planning of water use during commissioning activities can maximise the opportunity for water recirculation and minimisation versus once-through use. The water used for flushing building services should be isolated as soon as possible after the flush water turns clear to avoid the unnecessary use of water.

Invest Northern Ireland water efficiency support and advice

For more detail on water efficiency measures and benefits, you can download Invest NI's practical water efficiency guide for businesses in Northern Ireland (PDF, 956K).

Your construction business may be eligible to get a sustainability report, which can help you to measure, monitor and report on your environmental impacts, demonstrating transparency and accountability - find out more about Invest NI’s Sustainability Reports.

Invest NI provides expert advice to help develop business-specific energy and resource efficiency strategies. Tailored advice, support and funding can help your business operate more efficiently, minimise waste, reduce costs and improve your impact on the environment - find out more about support to save energy and reduce resource consumption.