ISO 12439:2025
(Main)Mixing water for concrete
Mixing water for concrete
This document specifies requirements for the treatment of water that is suitable for making concrete in accordance with ISO 22965 (all parts) and describes methods for assessing its suitability.
Eau de gâchage pour béton
General Information
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Standards Content (Sample)
International
Standard
ISO 12439
Second edition
Mixing water for concrete
2025-03
Eau de gâchage pour béton
Reference number
© ISO 2025
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ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Requirements . 2
4.1 General .2
4.2 Preliminary assessment .2
4.3 Chemical properties . .3
4.3.1 Chlorides .3
4.3.2 Sulfates .3
4.3.3 Alkali .3
4.3.4 Harmful contamination .3
4.4 Setting time and strength . .4
5 Sampling . 4
6 Testing. 4
6.1 Test methods .4
6.1.1 Preliminary assessment .4
6.1.2 Humic matter .5
6.1.3 Chemical tests .5
6.1.4 Setting time and strength .5
6.2 Frequency for testing .6
6.3 Conformity evaluation .6
7 Test report . 6
Annex A (normative) Requirements for the use of water recovered from processes in the
concrete industry . 7
Annex B (informative) Testing scheme for mixing water for concrete .10
Annex C (informative) Recommended test methods.13
Annex D (informative) Requirements for radioactivity . 14
Bibliography .15
iii
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
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with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are described
in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the different types
of ISO document should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the
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This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 71, Concrete, reinforced concrete and pre-
stressed concrete, Subcommittee SC 3, Concrete production and execution of concrete structures.
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 12439:2010), which has been technically
revised.
The main changes are as follows:
— addition of some new normative references;
— addition of the definition of water types;
— inclusion of requirements regarding radioactive testing (subclause 4.3.4).
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www.iso.org/members.html.
iv
Introduction
The quality of the mixing water for production of concrete can influence the setting time, the strength
development of concrete and the protection of the reinforcement against corrosion.
When assessing the suitability of water of unknown quality for the production of concrete, both the
composition of the water and the application of the concrete being produced must be considered.
v
International Standard ISO 12439:2025(en)
Mixing water for concrete
1 Scope
This document specifies requirements for the treatment of water that is suitable for making concrete in
accordance with ISO 22965 (all parts) and describes methods for assessing its suitability.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content constitutes
requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references,
the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 1920-3, Testing of concrete — Part 3: Making and curing test specimens
ISO 1920-4, Testing of concrete — Part 4: Strength of hardened concrete
ISO 23696-1, Water quality — Determination of nitrate in water using small-scale sealed tubes — Part 1:
Dimethylphenol colour reaction
ISO 6878, Water quality — Determination of phosphorus — Ammonium molybdate spectrometric method
ISO 13163, Water quality — Lead-210 — Test method using liquid scintillation counting
ISO 29581-1, Cement — Test methods — Part 1: Analysis by wet chemistry
ISO 9597, Cement — Test methods — Determination of setting time and soundness
ISO 22965-2, Concrete — Part 2: Specification of constituent materials, production of concrete and compliance
of concrete
ISO 10523, Water quality — Determination of pH
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1
potable water
water intended for human consumption
Note 1 to entry: This water is generally considered as suitable for use in concrete. The water shall not be further
tested, if already tested and certified by concerned authorities. Otherwise, the water shall be tested and shall conform
to the requirements specified in 4.3.
3.2
natural surface water
water which flows over, or rests on, the surface of a land mass
Note 1 to entry: This water can be suitable for use in concrete but shall be tested to determine whether it is suitable
for use in concrete.
3.3
sewage water
wastewater conveyed in underground pipes
Note 1 to entry: This water is not suitable for use in concrete.
3.4
combined water
mixture of water recovered from processes in the concrete industry and water of some other origin.
Note 1 to entry: This water can be suitable for use in concrete but shall be tested to determine whether it is suitable
for use in concrete.
4 Requirements
4.1 General
Water for use in concrete shall conform to 4.2, 4.3.1, 4.3.2 and 4.3.3. The water shall conform to either the
chemical requirements in 4.3.4, or the requirements for setting time and compressive strength in 4.4.
NOTE When waters are mixed (see 3.4), the requirements apply to the combined water.
4.2 Preliminary assessment
The water shall be examined in accordance with the test procedures stated in Table 1. Water not in
accordance with one or more of the requirements in Table 1 may be used only if it can be shown to be suitable
for use in concrete in accordance with 4.4.
Table 1 — Requirements and test procedures for preliminary assessment of mixing water
Number Parameter Requirement Test procedure
1 Oils and fats Not more than visible traces. 6.1.1
2 Detergents Foam shall disappear within 2 min except for 6.1.1
small residues.
3 Colour Water not from sources classified as potable:
the colour shall be assessed qualitatively as pale 6.1.1
yellow or paler.
4 Suspended Water from sources classified as potable. A.4.4
matter
Water from other sources: max. 4 ml of sediment. 6.1.1
5 Odour Water from sources classified as potable: no smell,
except the odour allowed for potable water and a
slight smell of cement; where blast-furnace slag
is present in the water, a slight smell of hydrogen
6.1.1
sulfide.
Water from ot
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