IS 3025 prescribes methods of sampling and testing (physical and chemical) for water and wastewater. Specific parts of this code are utilized to test the suitability of water for making concrete, verifying that parameters such as chlorides, sulphates, total solids, and pH fall within the acceptable limits defined by IS 456 to ensure concrete durability and prevent reinforcement corrosion.
Specifies requirements for water to be used in mixing and curing concrete.
Quick Reference Values
organic solids limit200 mg/l
inorganic solids limit3000 mg/l
sulphates limit400 mg/l
chlorides limit plain concrete2000 mg/l
chlorides limit rcc500 mg/l
suspended matter limit2000 mg/l
minimum pH6.0
Practical Notes
Water suitable for drinking is generally considered fit for making and curing concrete.
For reinforced concrete (RCC), chloride limits are strictly capped at 500 mg/l compared to 2000 mg/l for plain concrete.
Groundwater or borewell water from construction sites must be tested under IS 3025 before use to ensure harmful salts do not exceed permissible limits.