Environmentally friendly interlocking concrete paver blocks produced with treated wastewater

Abstract

This study aimed at supporting processes and techniques for minimization of water consumption in the production of concrete. For this purpose, the use of treated wastewater from a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in interlocking concrete paver block (ICPB) production was evaluated. The treated wastewater was added in various dosages (0%, 50%, 75% and 100%) to the water used to produce cylindrical concrete samples. These samples were evaluated for compressive strength and water absorption tests. After these evaluations, the dosage of 100% treated wastewater for concrete production was established and ICPB were produced with this water composition. Subsequently, an area in a parking lot was replaced by ICPB produced with treated wastewater, and an equal area was replaced by ICPB produced with potable water. A comparison between parameters obtained for cylindrical samples and ICPB samples prepared with treated wastewater and those prepared with potable water indicated that wastewater reuse would be a good alternative for potable water consumption reduction in the concrete industry.