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Influence of Water Source Quality on Concrete Performance: A Mechanism-Based Systematic Review and Engineering
Kevin Paolo V Robles1, Jean Naethan Cordova1, Maria Christyn Kinazo1
1School of Civil, Environmental and Geological Engineering, Mapua University, Manila 1102, Philippines.
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 28, 2026
Summary
Concrete performance depends on water chemistry, not just potable status. This review proposes frameworks to assess alternative water sources for sustainable concrete production, focusing on durability and microstructure.
Area of Science:
- Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Materials Science
- Sustainable Construction
Background:
- Growing water scarcity necessitates exploring alternative water sources for concrete production.
- Current evaluations often prioritize compressive strength, neglecting crucial durability and microstructural aspects.
- A comprehensive understanding of water quality's impact on concrete is vital for sustainable practices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the influence of alternative water source quality on concrete performance.
- To develop mechanism-based frameworks for interpreting water quality effects on concrete.
- To propose a multi-dimensional evaluation system for practical decision-making in concrete production.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review integrating fresh properties, mechanical behavior, durability, and microstructural data.
- Development of a mechanism-based interpretation framework linking water chemistry to concrete performance.
- Classification of water sources into impurity regimes (low, moderate, high).
- Creation of a multi-dimensional engineering evaluation framework.
Main Results:
- Concrete performance is dictated by water's chemical composition, impurity levels, and treatment, not its potable classification.
- While compressive strength may be comparable, workability, durability, and microstructure vary significantly with water quality.
- A strong correlation exists between water chemistry, hydration, microstructure, transport properties, and overall durability.
Conclusions:
- Relying solely on compressive strength is insufficient for evaluating alternative water sources in concrete.
- The proposed mechanism-based and multi-dimensional frameworks offer a structured approach to assessing water quality for sustainable concrete.
- This research bridges the gap between experimental findings and practical engineering applications for environmentally conscious concrete production.
Keywords:
alternative water sourcescement hydrationconcrete durabilitysustainable concrete productionwastewater reusewater qualityMore Related Videos
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