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IS 3025:1991 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for water for making concrete. 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.
! 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.
Standard Specification for Mixing Water Used in the Production of Hydraulic Cement Concrete
Directly specifies chemical and performance requirements for mixing water in concrete.
BS EN 1008:2002BSI / CEN, UK / Europe
HighCurrent
Mixing water for concrete - Specification for sampling, testing and assessing the suitability of water, including water recovered from processes in the concrete industry, as mixing water for concrete
Comprehensive standard for assessing all types of water, including recycled water, for concrete production.
AS 1379-2007Standards Australia, Australia
MediumCurrent
Specification and supply of concrete
Broad concrete specification standard with a clause (2.4) defining requirements for mixing water.
Key Differences
≠The Indian Standard (IS 456) specifies a minimum pH of 6.0, which is more restrictive than BS EN 1008's minimum of 4.0. In contrast, ASTM C1602 does not set a mandatory pH limit, relying on performance tests for suspect water.
≠The limit for sulphates in the Indian Standard (400 mg/L as SO₃) is significantly stricter than in ASTM C1602 (3000 mg/L as SO₄²⁻) and BS EN 1008 (2000 mg/L as SO₄²⁻).
≠IS 456 provides prescriptive limits for suspended solids (2000 mg/L) and organic solids (200 mg/L), whereas standards like ASTM C1602 favor performance-based testing (strength and setting time) to evaluate the effect of such impurities.
≠For performance qualification, the allowable deviation in initial setting time in IS 456 (±30 minutes from control) is much tighter than in ASTM C1602 (from 1 hour before to 1.5 hours after the control).
Key Similarities
≈All standards universally agree that potable water (water fit for drinking) is suitable for use in concrete without requiring testing.
≈All standards provide a performance-based path for acceptance, allowing water that fails chemical limits to be qualified if it produces concrete with comparable setting time and compressive strength (typically ≥90%) to a control mix.
≈There is a universal emphasis on strictly limiting chloride content to prevent corrosion of steel reinforcement, particularly in prestressed and reinforced concrete, although the specific limits may vary.
≈All standards contain a general, overarching clause prohibiting water containing injurious amounts of oils, acids, alkalis, salts, sugar, or other substances that could be deleterious to concrete or reinforcement.
Parameter Comparison
Parameter
IS Value
International
Source
pH Value
Shall not be less than 6.0
pH ≥ 4.0
BS EN 1008:2002
Chloride (Cl⁻) for Prestressed Concrete
500 mg/L (as per IS 456:2000)
≤ 500 mg/L
BS EN 1008:2002
Chloride (Cl⁻) for Reinforced Concrete
2000 mg/L (as per IS 456:2000)
≤ 1000 mg/L
ASTM C1602-22
Sulphates (as SO₃)
400 mg/L (as per IS 456:2000)
Not specified as SO₃; limit for SO₄²⁻ is 3000 mg/L
ASTM C1602-22
Suspended Matter
2000 mg/L (as per IS 456:2000)
No prescriptive limit; relies on performance tests.
ASTM C1602-22
Organic Solids
200 mg/L (as per IS 456:2000)
No specific limit; controlled via performance tests.
ASTM C1602-22
Compressive Strength Ratio (Performance Test)
Minimum 90% of control at 7 and 28 days
Minimum 90% of control at 7 days
ASTM C1602-22
Initial Setting Time Deviation (Performance Test)
Shall not differ by more than ± 30 minutes from control
Not less than 1 hr before and not more than 1.5 hr after control
ASTM C1602-22
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use
Key Values7
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
Tables & Referenced Sections
Key Tables
No tables data
Key Clauses
Part 17 - Non-filterable Residue (Suspended Solids)
Part 18 - Volatile and Fixed Residue (Organic and Inorganic Solids)