Advancing Solutions to Solve Global Water Challenges

At CRH, we are committed to help solve the global challenges associated with water. We work to conserve, efficiently manage and recycle water at our own operations, as well as provide solutions for water management to enhance the resilience of communities and the built environment.

Our innovative solutions are helping to upgrade and build new water infrastructure, enabling the capture, treatment, distribution and access to clean water supplies and treatment of wastewater. We also have a wide range of solutions to strengthen the resilience of cities and the wider built environment against coastal erosion, flooding, and stormwater.

Key Facts

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c. bn litres of water saved by recycling at our locations

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% revenue from products with enhanced sustainability attributes, which includes concrete products used in flood defences and stormwater systems

Case Studies

Examples of how our business is helping to solve global water challenges.

Providing solutions to wastewater management

Finnsementti, part of our Europe Division in Finland, helped to develop the new Sulkavuori wastewater treatment plant in Tampere, Finland by suppling...

Providing solutions to wastewater management

Finnsementti, part of our Europe Division in Finland, helped to develop the new Sulkavuori wastewater treatment plant in Tampere, Finland by suppling 24,000 m3 of low-carbon ‘Kolmossement’ cement for its construction. Kolmossement is a high strength cement that can reduce the carbon footprint of a project by 40% compared to traditional cement.

Upgrading water infrastructure in our communities

National Pipe & Plastics, Inc., part of our Americas Division, are using their PVC pipes to solve water challenges for communities across North...

Upgrading water infrastructure in our communities

National Pipe & Plastics, Inc., part of our Americas Division, are using their PVC pipes to solve water challenges for communities across North America. In the rural town of Arcadia and Wayne County, NPP enhanced access to drinking water by supplying over 24,000 feet of new water line enabling critical infrastructural advancements to be made that support the local communities.

Supporting sustainable development

Oldcastle Infrastructure, part of our Americas Division in the US, designed a site specific StormCapture® detention solution for a customer in...

Supporting sustainable development

Oldcastle Infrastructure, part of our Americas Division in the US, designed a site specific StormCapture® detention solution for a customer in Lewisville, Texas. The solution required a detention system that would effectively capture and manage urban stormwater, thereby reducing flooding, erosion and sewer overflows.


Our Targets and Progress


100% of our operating companies to have water management plans in place by 2030

We are continuing to take action to conserve and use water resources responsibly in our own operations. We are also innovating and enhancing the range of solutions we offer to support water resiliency. These solutions are providing innovative, reliable infrastructure to assist in effective water management, protect groundwater sources, providing access to clean water resources and treatment of wastewater. Our flood management and stormwater solutions are helping to protect vulnerable communities and allow them to adapt to increasingly volatile weather patterns.

We are on track to achieve our target:

  • 81% of our operating companies had water management plans in place in 2022
  • 55% reduction in water uptake from external sources in 2022

Find out more about what we are doing on Water:

2022 Sustainability Performance Report

2022 Annual Report