Concrete / Cement

Contrary to popular belief, concrete is not just sand, gravel and water. Concrete or cementitious (mortar, grout, plaster, stucco, cement, slurry) wastewater is caustic and considered to be corrosive with a pH near 12, essentially the same as liquid drain cleaner, ammonia or other household cleaning detergents. The primary ingredient in ready mixed concrete is Portland Cement, which consists of Portland Cement clinker, calcium sulfate, calcium and magnesium oxide, metals and trace elements of potassium and sodium sulfate compounds, chromium compounds and nickel compounds.

  • Concrete Wash out AreaBefore the concrete arrives, determine the proper disposal methods and areas for liquids and solids
  • Do not wash off in the street or gutter
  • Use an adequately sized concrete washout area to allow tools and ready-mix trucks to be cleaned without harmful residue leaving your site
  • Wash off in a designated containment area where materials do not have access to ground water, streams, streets or storm drains
  • Don 't let liquid or solid waste from sawing, coring or demolition get into the storm drain system
  • Try to schedule projects for dry weather periods
  • Incorporate requirements for concrete waste management into material supplier and subcontractor agreements
  • When temporary concrete washout facilities are no longer required, the hardened concrete should be removed and disposed of properly
  • Small amounts of excess dry concrete, grout and mortar can be put in the trash
  • Large quantities of dry concrete, can be recycled

Recycling

For hardened concrete recycling call:

  • Quakenbush Mountain Resource Recovery and Compost Facility: 707-995-0104
  • Granite Construction: 707-994-8201
  • DNA Ridge Rock: 707-994-5100

Contact Lake County Public Services at 707-262-1760 for other disposal options.