Concrete Consequences: How the Building Industry Can Tackle Water Scarcity

Few materials are as foundational to modern construction as concrete. Ubiquitous in everything from housing and infrastructure to schools and shopping centres, its durability and affordability have made it the bedrock of development. Yet, beneath the grey exterior lies a pressing environmental issue: concrete production is a thirsty business, and the industry’s water footprint is both vast and under-reported.

As the UK edges toward stricter water resource management in the face of climate change, the construction industry must confront its hidden role in accelerating water stress. Tackling water use in concrete production and site operations is not just a matter of sustainability – it’s quickly becoming a regulatory and reputational imperative.

The Scale of the Problem

Concrete is the second most consumed substance on Earth after water itself. According to the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA), over 14 billion cubic metres of concrete are produced globally each year. The water required for this – in mixing, curing, dust suppression, and cleaning – can exceed 100 litres per cubic metre, depending on the mix design and practices in place.

In the UK, the Environment Agency has already flagged the South East, East Anglia, and parts of the Midlands as areas likely to face significant water shortages by 2050. Construction activity, particularly during infrastructure and housing booms, can exacerbate regional water stress. Add to that the reliance on water-intensive cement production, and the industry’s footprint begins to look unsustainable.

Cement and the Embodied Water Crisis

Embodied carbon is now a common topic in green building circles, but embodied water – the total water used across the supply chain – has yet to gain similar traction. Cement, a key ingredient in concrete, is responsible for a high proportion of this footprint.

The manufacturing of cement involves high-temperature kilns and cooling systems, both of which consume significant volumes of water. Globally, cement production uses around 1.7 billion litres of water each year. While large manufacturers in the UK have made strides in recycling process water, much of the industry is still reliant on freshwater abstraction, particularly in smaller or less regulated quarries.

Site-Level Impacts

On construction sites, water is used liberally: to wash tools and vehicles, mix materials, suppress dust, and cure concrete. Poor practices can lead to not only excessive use but also pollution of local watercourses through runoff contaminated with cement washout or hydrocarbons.

The Construction Leadership Council (CLC) and Considerate Constructors Scheme have recently pushed for tighter controls, but implementation remains inconsistent. Many SMEs in the sector still lack basic water management plans, relying on temporary connections or tanker deliveries with little monitoring.

A Blueprint for Water-Smart Concrete

So how can the construction industry reduce its water burden while maintaining quality and efficiency?

1. Embrace Mix Design Innovation:
Modern additives and admixtures can dramatically reduce the water-to-cement ratio without compromising performance. Superplasticisers, for instance, improve workability, meaning less water is required to pour and set concrete. Alternative binders such as geopolymer cement – which can be made from fly ash or slag – offer lower water usage and reduced carbon emissions.

2. Recycle and Reclaim:
Ready-mix plants and precast facilities should be equipped to capture and treat greywater from truck washouts and curing operations. Sedimentation tanks, pH neutralisation systems, and closed-loop recycling can bring water reuse levels above 80% in controlled environments.

3. Switch to Dry and Hybrid Systems:
Techniques such as dry-mix shotcrete, pre-packed aggregate grouting, or even dry block construction reduce or eliminate the need for water onsite. While not suitable for every job, these options are gaining traction in urban and retrofit projects.

4. Monitor and Audit:
Installing smart meters and conducting water audits should be standard practice on major projects. Knowing exactly how and where water is used can reveal surprising inefficiencies – and offer savings in both consumption and cost.

5. Engage the Supply Chain:
Water stewardship must extend beyond the site. Contractors should start requesting Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) that include water footprint data, incentivising suppliers to disclose and reduce their own impacts.

Policy and Compliance on the Horizon

While the UK has yet to legislate directly on construction water use, change is coming. The Environment Act 2021 sets a framework for long-term water resource planning, while local authorities and water companies are already tightening conditions on temporary connections and abstraction licensing.

Meanwhile, clients – particularly in the public sector – are increasingly embedding water-related sustainability KPIs into procurement frameworks. Consider HS2’s commitment to net zero water impact across its construction – a benchmark likely to influence future large-scale projects.

Developers who fail to take water efficiency seriously may soon find themselves at a competitive disadvantage.

A Concrete Opportunity

Water is often called the invisible crisis. In construction, it is doubly so – hidden behind supply chains, overlooked in planning, and wasted onsite. But it doesn’t have to be.

Reducing the water footprint of concrete and construction more broadly is not only possible, but already happening. The industry has proven that it can adapt – think of the widespread embrace of low-carbon concrete, or digital site management systems. Water deserves the same urgency.

For construction firms, the message is clear: it’s time to rethink how we build, not just what we build with. A water-conscious construction sector can help safeguard the UK’s most precious resource – and still lay the foundations for growth.