Safe disposal of concrete wash water guidance published

The British Concrete Transport Association (BCTA) has published a new guidance document addressing the safe disposal of concrete wash water, a key issue for the construction industry.

The document is available for download on the BCTA website and is designed to help industry professionals manage concrete wash water in line with UK waste regulations.

Concrete wash water, produced during the cleaning of equipment and machinery, is classified as waste and must be treated and disposed of properly to comply with UK law.

Mark Cowan, BCTA’s advisor for transport & concrete, who contributed to the guidance, highlighted the importance of understanding the correct procedures for handling this waste.

"Once concrete wash water reaches a pH of 12.5, it becomes hazardous and needs to be managed accordingly," Cowan explained.

He pointed out that the industry needs to replace outdated European Waste Catalogue codes with the correct classification. “The use of 17 01 01 should now be replaced with 16 10 01*, which describes it as a hazardous aqueous liquid, not just construction waste."

The document also summarises the responsibilities of those producing concrete wash water, referred to as the Duty of Care for Waste Management. Cowan emphasised the importance of managing this waste on-site and ensuring proper treatment at concrete plants.

"Everyone involved in handling wash water needs to understand the safety and environmental risks. The outdated guidance is no longer fit for purpose, so we’ve produced this new resource to bring standards up to date."

The guidance aims to raise awareness and provide clarity for the sector, which has long struggled with the complexities of concrete wash water disposal.