Assessing contaminant leaching from concrete in water storage tanks using non-target screening

Concrete is widely used for drinking water storage, yet it can leach organic compounds that may affect water quality. In response to the EU Drinking Water Directive (2021), all materials in contact with drinking water, including concrete, must be approved before installation by 2027. This study used non-target screening to support this process by analyzing chemical leaching from concrete. The three tested concrete types released similar compounds, mainly polyethylene glycols (PEGs), with the superplasticizer added during production, identified as the main source. A strong correlation (R² = 0.998 for n = 3) between superplasticizer amount and leaching extent underscores the critical role of additives in chemical migration, emphasizing the need to assess their environmental implications for drinking water quality. No compounds from the retarder additive were found, while alkanolamines and fatty acids, likely from grinding and hydrophobic agents, were identified as leaches as well. The study highlights the importance of non-target screening to better understand the chemical impact of storage materials on drinking water safety.