WATER: THE FIVE HABITS OF AN EXEMPLARY BUILDING SITE


Circularity
Spotlight
4 min
24/11/2023

The transition to more responsible water management represents a challenge as well as an opportunity for the construction sector, which is one of the most water-intensive industries: 42% of the water used on a building site is wasted. From mixing concrete through wetting dry surfaces to washing equipment, water is a crucial resource at every step in the construction process.

SAVE THE RESOURCE

CONSIDER THE IMPACT OF THE CLIMATE and weather on operations (e.g., do not pour concrete in hot weather, so as not to have to spray it too much to prevent cracks).

PROVIDE CONTAINERIZED EQUIPMENT (to obtain drinking water from raw water) as well as rain barrels for the site’s needs.

MONITOR CONSUMPTION

SET TARGETS in the program of requirements.

PLACE METERS (drinking water and harvested rainwater) in the living quarters* and equip the highest-consumption (fixed or mobile) devices with water meters.

DISCERN THE ITEMS CAUSING OVERCONSUMPTION by monitoring the ratio between rainwater consumption and drinking water consumption.

COMMUNICATE with workers on the site, displaying the site’s consumption.

Illustration of the 5 reflexes of an exemplary construction site.

MANAGE THE LIVING QUARTERS* WASTEWATER

If it is not possible to connect to the sewage system, wastewater must be treated on the site via a mobile treatment unit before being released into the natural environment.

TREAT ROAD WASH WATER

Rainwater is managed according to its pollution potential and then treated in different steps (sludge removal, hydrocarbon treatment, sedimentation, filtration, etc.).

REUSE OPERATIONS WATER

Full of aggregates, sand, concrete, and fine particles, it must be treated before being reused, for example, to clean equipment.

* Temporary construction to accommodate and protect workers and supervisors throughout the building project.

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SAVE THE RESOURCE

CONSIDER THE IMPACT OF THE CLIMATE and weather on operations (e.g., do not pour concrete in hot weather, so as not to have to spray it too much to prevent cracks).

PROVIDE CONTAINERIZED EQUIPMENT (to obtain drinking water from raw water) as well as rain barrels for the site’s needs.

Illustration of the 5 reflexes of an exemplary construction site.

MANAGE THE LIVING QUARTERS* WASTEWATER

If it is not possible to connect to the sewage system, wastewater must be treated on the site via a mobile treatment unit before being released into the natural environment.

* Temporary construction to accommodate and protect workers and supervisors throughout the building project.

Illustration des 5 réflexes d'un chantier exemplaire

TREAT ROAD WASH WATER

Rainwater is managed according to its pollution potential and then treated in different steps (sludge removal, hydrocarbon treatment, sedimentation, filtration, etc.).

MONITOR CONSUMPTION

SET TARGETS in the program of requirements.

PLACE METERS (drinking water and harvested rainwater) in the living quarters* and equip the highest-consumption (fixed or mobile) devices with water meters.

DISCERN THE ITEMS CAUSING OVERCONSUMPTION by monitoring the ratio between rainwater consumption and drinking water consumption.

COMMUNICATE with workers on the site, displaying the site’s consumption.

Illustration des 5 réflexes d'un chantier exemplaire

REUSE OPERATIONS WATER

Full of aggregates, sand, concrete, and fine particles, it must be treated before being reused, for example, to clean equipment.

Share data