This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what

changes have been made to the previous version. Because

it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.

Designation: C1602/C1602M − 18 C1602/C1602M − 22

Standard Specification for

Mixing Water Used in the Production of Hydraulic Cement
Concrete1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C1602/C1602M; the number immediately following the designation indicates the
year of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last
reapproval. A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope*

1.1 This specification covers the compositional and performance requirements for water used as mixing water in hydraulic cement
concrete. It defines sources of water and provides requirements and testing frequencies for qualifying individual or combined water
sources. In any case where the requirements of the purchaser differ from these in this specification, the purchaser’s specification
shall govern.

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1.2 This specification does not purport to cover methods of storage, transportation, or blending of water, or to address the
development and maintenance of quality control programs sponsored or managed by the manufacturer.

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1.3 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in each
system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be used
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independently of the other, and values from the two systems shall not be combined.

1.4 The text of this specification references notes and footnotes that provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes
(excluding those in tables and figures) shall not ASTM C1602/C1602M-22
be considered as requirements of the standard.
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1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

2. Referenced Documents

2.1 ASTM Standards:2

C31/C31M Practice for Making and Curing Concrete Test Specimens in the Field
C33/C33M Specification for Concrete Aggregates
C39/C39M Test Method for Compressive Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens
C94/C94M Specification for Ready-Mixed Concrete
C109/C109M Test Method for Compressive Strength of Hydraulic Cement Mortars (Using 2-in. or [50 mm] Cube Specimens)

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This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C09 on Concrete and Concrete Aggregates and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee C09.40 on
Ready-Mixed Concrete.
Current edition approved Dec. 15, 2018June 15, 2022. Published January 2019June 2022. Originally approved in 2004. Last previous edition approved in 20122018 as
C1602/C1602M – 12.18. DOI: 10.1520/C1602_C1602M-18.10.1520/C1602_C1602M-22.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

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 C1602/C1602M − 22
C114 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Hydraulic Cement
C125 Terminology Relating to Concrete and Concrete Aggregates
C192/C192M Practice for Making and Curing Concrete Test Specimens in the Laboratory
C305 Practice for Mechanical Mixing of Hydraulic Cement Pastes and Mortars of Plastic Consistency
C403/C403M Test Method for Time of Setting of Concrete Mixtures by Penetration Resistance
C1603 Test Method for Measurement of Solids in Water
2.2 ACI Documents:3
ACI 318 Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary

3. Terminology

3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this specification, refer to Terminology C125.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:

3.2.1 combined water, n—a mixture of two or more sources of water blended together, before or during introduction into the
mixture, for use as mixing water in the production of concrete.

3.2.2 non-potable, adj—water sources that are not fit for human consumption, or if it contains quantities of substances that discolor
it or make it smell or have objectionable taste but does not contain water from concrete production operations.

3.2.3 potable water, n—water suitable for human consumption

3.2.4 water from concrete production operations, n—water recovered from processes of hydraulic cement concrete production that

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includes wash water from mixers or that was a part of a concrete mixture; water collected in a basin as a result of storm water runoff
at a concrete production facility; or water that contains quantities of concrete ingredients.

4. Requirements for Use

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4.1 Mixing water shall consist of:
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4.1.1 Batch water (water weighed or metered through the batch plant),
ASTM C1602/C1602M-22
4.1.2 Ice,
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4.1.3 Water added by truck operator,

4.1.4 Free moisture on the aggregates, and

4.1.5 Water introduced in the form of admixtures when this water increases the water-cementitious materials ratio by more than
0.01.

4.2 Potable water is permitted to be used as mixing water in concrete without testing for conformance with the requirements of
this specification.

4.3 Mixing water that is wholly or partially composed of sources of water that are non-potable or from concrete production
operations are permitted to be used in any proportions to the limits qualified to meet the requirements of Table 1. At the option
of the purchaser and when appropriate for the construction, any of the optional limits found within Table 2 shall be specified at
the time of concrete ordering according to the section on Ordering Information of Specification C94/C94M.

4.3.1 Non-potable sources of water shall be qualified for use in accordance with 5.1. When required by the purchaser, requirements
of 5.4 shall also apply. When the non-potable water source is blended with a potable source, the qualification of the mixing water
shall be at the highest percentage of the non-potable source in the combined mixing water anticipated during production.

4.3.2 Combined water blended from two or more sources, where one of the sources includes that from concrete production, shall

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Available from American Concrete Institute (ACI), 38800 Country Club Dr., Farmington Hills, MI 48331-3439, http://www.concrete.org.

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 C1602/C1602M − 22
TABLE 1 Performance Requirements for Mixing Water
Limits
Compressive strength, min % control at 7 daysA 90

Time of setting, deviation from control, h: minA From 1:00 earlier to

1:30 later
A
Comparisons shall be based on fixed proportions for concrete or mortar mixtures.
The control mixture shall be made with 100 % potable or distilled water. The test
mixture shall be made with the mixing water that is being evaluated (see Annex
A1).

be qualified for use in accordance with 5.2. When required by the purchaser, requirements of 5.4 shall also apply. The combined
water shall be qualified at the highest solids content in the total mixing water anticipated during production. Mixing water
containing total solids equal to or less than the level qualified by testing shall be permitted.
5. Testing and Requirements

5.1 For sources of non-potable mixing water (as defined in 3.2.2) proposed for use as total mixing water or in the combined mixing
water (as defined in 3.2.1), the following shall apply to the total combined mixing water:

5.1.1 Water shall be tested for compliance with Table 1 before first use and thereafter every three months or more often when there
is reason to believe that a change has occurred in the characteristics of the source. Testing is permitted to be at a lower frequency,
but not less than annually when results from four consecutive tests indicate compliance with Table 1. Testing shall be in accordance
with 5.3.

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5.2 For sources of water from concrete production operations (as defined in 3.2.4) proposed for use as the total mixing water or
in the combined mixing water (as defined in 3.2.1), the following shall apply to the total combined mixing water:

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5.2.1 The density of the water from concrete production operations shall be tested at least on a daily basis in accordance with Test
Method C1603 or monitored with a hydrometer that has been verified in accordance with Test Method C1603. Manufacturers that

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use automated devices shall maintain at the production facility documentation on the procedures and calibration of systems, as
needed (see Note 1).

content.
ASTM C1602/C1602M-22
NOTE 1—Blending proportions of water sources can be determined in accordance with Appendix X1 of Test Method C1603 for achieving a target solids

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5.2.2 Combined water shall be tested for compliance with the requirements of Table 1, in accordance with 5.3, at the highest solids
content anticipated to be used during production in accordance with the following testing frequencies:

5.2.2.1 When the density of the combined water is less than 1.01 g/mL, the water shall be tested before first use and thereafter
once every six months. Testing frequency is permitted to be reduced to once every 12 months when the results of two consecutive
tests indicate compliance with the requirements of Table 1 (see Note 2).

NOTE 2—This condition is intended to cover the use of clarified wash water that has been passed through a settling pond system.

5.2.2.2 When the density of the combined water is between 1.01 and 1.03, the water shall be tested before first use and thereafter
monthly. Testing frequency is permitted to be reduced to once every three months when the results of four consecutive tests indicate
compliance with the requirements of Table 1 (see Note 3).

NOTE 3—Water density of 1.03 approximately represents a total solids content of 50 000 ppm.

5.2.2.3 When the density of the combined water exceeds 1.03, the water shall be tested weekly or more often when there is reason
to believe that there is a change in the water characteristics for compliance with the requirements of Table 1. Testing frequency
is permitted to be reduced to once every month when the results of two months of consecutive tests indicate compliance with the
requirements of Table 1.

5.2.2.4 Testing for water with density exceeding 1.05 shall be the same as that of 5.2.2.3 whether the water includes or does not
include an extended set control admixture (see Note 4).

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TABLE 2 Optional Chemical Limits for Combined Mixing WaterA
Limits Test Method
Maximum concentration in combined mixing water, ppmB
A. Chloride as Cl-, ppm
1 in prestressed concrete, bridge decks, or otherwise designated 500C C114D
2 other reinforced concrete in moist environments or containing aluminum 1 000C C114D
embedments or dissimilar metals or with stay-in-place galvanized metal
forms
B. Sulfate as SO4, ppm 3 000 C114D
C. Alkalies as (Na2O + 0.658 K2O), ppm 600 C114D
D. Total solids by mass, ppm 50 000 C1603
A
Specification limits from this table are not prohibited from being specified as individual items or as a whole in accordance with the section on Ordering Information of
Specification C94/C94M.
B
ppm is the abbreviation for parts per million.
C
The requirements for concrete in ACI 318 shall govern when the manufacturer can demonstrate that these limits for mixing water can be exceeded. For conditions
allowing the use of calcium chloride (CaCl2) accelerator as an admixture, the chloride limitation is permitted to be waived by the purchaser.
D
Test Methods C114 includes reference and alternative test methods to measure the concentration of chlorides, sulfates, and alkalis in solutions prepared from dissolving
cementitious materials. Use the applicable test methods in Test Methods C114 to measure these consituents. The laboratory performing these tests is not required to
conform to the method qualification requirements of Test Methods C114. Alternative instrumental and wet chemistry methods not listed in Test Methods C114 that measure
the concentration of these chemical species in solution are permitted. When alternative methods are used, the test method used shall be included in the report.

NOTE 4—Water density exceeding approximately 1.05, where the solids are essentially composed of cementitious materials, may require the use of
extended set control admixtures to maintain compliance with the requirements of Table 1. The producer should have a documented process in place to
verify the effectiveness of the admixtures and dosages employed.

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5.3 Testing to verify compliance with the requirements of Table 1 shall be conducted in accordance with Annex A1. A test batch
with the mixing water to be qualified shall be compared with a control batch prepared with potable water (see Note 5). One of

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options 5.3.1, 5.3.2 or 5.3.3 shall be used:

5.3.1 Using Samples from Production Batches:

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batches for strength tests shall be cast and standard cured in accordance with Practice
C31/C31M. Compressive strength test results for each batch shall be the average of at least two standard specimens made from
a composite sample.
ASTM C1602/C1602M-22
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5.3.2 Using Laboratory Concrete batches:

5.3.2.1 Laboratory concrete batches shall be prepared in accordance with Practice C192/C192M. Specimens for compressive
strength shall be prepared and cured in accordance with Practice C192/C192M. Compressive strength test results for each batch
shall be the average of at least two standard specimens.

5.3.3 Using Laboratory Mortar Batches:

5.3.3.1 For mortar batches use concrete sand complying with Specification C33/C33M. Mortars shall be prepared in accordance
with Practice C305 with one part portland cement and 2.25 parts sand by mass and a w/cm of 0.50 6 0.02. Batch size shall be
at least 20 % greater than the quantity required for strength test specimens and time of setting tests.

5.3.3.2 Prepare at least three 50-mm [2-in.] mortar cubes for each batch. Strength test specimens shall be standard cured in
accordance with Test Method C109/C109M.

5.3.4 Strength of concrete cylindrical specimens shall be determined at 7 days in accordance with Test Method C39/C39M.

5.3.5 Strength of mortar cubes shall be determined at 7 days in accordance with Test Method C109/C109M.

5.3.6 Time of setting shall be measured in accordance with Test Method C403/C403M.

5.4 For the optional requirements in Table 2, the manufacturer shall maintain documentation of the chemical concentrations of
chlorides, sulfates and alkalies in the sources of non-potable water or water from concrete production operations. These tests shall
be conducted before first use and thereafter once every 6 months, or more often when there is reason to believe that a change has