Effects of Water Quality on the Workability and Compressive Strength of Concrete in Karim-Lamido Local Government Area, Taraba State, Nigeria.

This study provides source-specific screening evidence on effects of non-potable mixing water in local practice in Karim-Lamido LGA, Taraba State. Water samples from three sources per alternative (well, borehole, stream, n=9) collected 28/03/2026 and analysed 30/03/2026 at TAWSC Central Lab (Refs 400&401) showed Stream Acceptable (TSS 1.142-1.311 mg/L, TDS 218-432 mg/L, sulphate 12-80 mg/L, EC 266 522 µS/cm, pH 6.78-7.56) while Borehole Not acceptable (sulphate 120-155 mg/L >100, EC 1480-1494 µS/cm >1000, TDS 1194-1207 mg/L >500, pH 6.30) and Well Not acceptable (pH 6.00-6.32<6.5, TDS 827 mg/L, sulphate 110 mg/L, EC 1024 µS/cm). Tap control from treated municipal supply per NSDWQ, ASTM C1602 Section 4.1 and BS EN 1008 Clause 3.1 served as potable reference without separate analysis. Sixty 150mm cubes were cast 16/05/2026 within 2h29min (14:47-17:16) using same batch of Dangote cement BlocMaster 42.5R, lateritic unwashed sand, hand-crushed irregular 20-40mm aggregate, 1:2:4 head pan, estimated w/c ∼0.70, manual mixing on bare ground, demoulded at 24h02-05 and cured at 23±2°C (Table 1A, Plate 1 Supplementary). Slump per MOW Jalingo CNT 3.0 (Tester Shuyur Jesse Ruth 3/7/2026): Stream 90mm, Borehole 120mm, Well 170mm descriptive only. Compressive strengths were low due to local materials and methods but comparable internally: 28-day Tap 5.39 N/mm² > Borehole 3.40 > Stream 3.60 > Well 2.36 N/mm². Visual clarity did not predict chemical compliance or strength. Primary inference is a factorial water source effect; chemical correlations are hypothesis-generating only (n=9). Recommendation is procedural: do not approve water by generic category or visual inspection; conduct source-specific trial mix versus potable control per ASTM C1602/BS EN 1008 requiring strength ratio ≥0.90 before use

Mixing water; Source-specific screening; Lateritic concrete; Compressive strength; ASTM C1602

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