Water-efficient practices during construction
Initiative description: Continuing the implementation of measures to increase the water efficiency of FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ stadiums and training sites during construction. This includes the use of efficient construction methodologies, for dust suppression and temporary efficient taps, toilets, showers and irrigation.
Major construction sites require large amounts of water, not only for construction activities but to cater to the human necessities of thousands of workers. Qatar’s desert climate causes water demand to increase; more water is required for proper concrete curing, and significant amounts of water are needed for dust control.
Throughout the construction of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ stadiums, designers and construction teams were guided by the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) to minimise water consumption and use recycled water where possible. This also helped to mitigate emissions associated with water desalination, the main source of water in Qatar. All construction activities followed the national environmental legislation and permitting procedures.
Key water minimisation measures during construction
Water was used onsite for construction activities such as dust suppression, concrete mixing and curing, wheel and truck washing, as well as commissioning activities. Water was also used by workers on the construction sites every day for drinking and sanitary use.
Site teams implemented systems to measure water use across the sites and carried out regular inspections to ensure any leaks were immediately repaired. Water conservation awareness campaigns for site staff were also implemented, including posters, signage and toolbox talks. In addition, training was provided to supervisors, foremen, and workers on the efficient use of potable and non-potable water in temporary buildings and construction sites.
To minimise water consumption, aerators were installed in taps in temporary bathrooms, canteens and ablution facilities. Aerators reduce flow rates while maintaining a steady stream of water and water pressure. Displacement devices were also installed in toilet tanks to reduce flush rates.
To save potable water, recycled water was used in dust control, irrigation, and vehicle washing. Sources of recycled water included an onsite wastewater treatment facility, dewatering activities, or condensate water collected from air conditioning systems. In some cases, temporary hauling roads were paved with construction waste materials, thus removing the requirement to apply water for dust suppression altogether.
Other key water efficiency measures implemented during stadium construction included ensuring low flow of water tankers for dust suppression, using chemicals for concrete curing, and the use of jute fabric to minimise evaporation.
As a result of water efficiency measures, a total of approximately 1 million cubic meters (equivalent to 1 billion litres) of potable water was saved. A detailed report summarising all best practices and providing further information about the water savings during construction activities was published.
Water consumption during construction
During stadium construction, the water consumption for domestic and non-domestic use was monitored at all stages of the project. Domestic water use included water required for human-related consumption. Non-domestic water use included any construction activity running on-site and utilising water. For domestic water use, records of the total number of personnel, both within temporary offices and on-site was monitored to better understand domestic water use patterns.
All FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ stadiums achieved the GSAS Construction Management certification which included water consumption and management criteria. Part of this certification process involved the assessment of domestic and non-domestic water used during stadium construction based on the comparison of water consumption to the reference value (or benchmark).