Cemex finishes water recycling project at flagship operation

Cemex completed the installation of a new water recycling system at its Balcones Quarry near New Braunfels, Texas.

According to Cemex, the system will decrease the company’s environmental impact and reliance on water pulled from nearby sources by using 90 percent less water annually than previously used by the quarry’s wash plant.

The water recycling system is a key component to the Balcones Quarry’s recently updated and expanded wash plant, which cleans aggregate used in concrete and asphalt, Cemex says. The new, fully automated water recycling system uses and recycles 12,000 gallons of water per minute to separate aggregate sand fines, which are then reclaimed from the water stream as a useable sand product. The water recycling system decreases the need for additional local water and adds efficiency to wash plant operations.

“The new water recycling system at Cemex’s Balcones Quarry is the first of its kind in our operations and was constructed to reduce reliance on local aquifers, which are extremely important water sources for the more than 2 million local residents and businesses,” says Scott Ducoff, Cemex USA regional president for Texas and New Mexico. “We’re proud of the updates our team has made at the Balcones Quarry and expect a positive impact on our surrounding communities.”

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, New Braunfels was the nation’s second-fastest growing city among those with more than 50,000 residents, recording a population increase of 6.6 percent during the 12 months ending July 1, 2015. The new recycling system will save the equivalent of 2,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools each year.

“This project represents Cemex’s continued commitment to integrating safety and sustainability practices into our operations and to minimize our environmental footprint in the communities in which we live, work and operate,” says Ignacio Madridejos, Cemex USA president. “Our team has driven day-to-day activities to ensure the safety and well-being of our employees while also applying industry-leading environmental management practices in our Balcones operations, and we’re extremely proud of their diligence.”

Cemex’s Balcones Quarry began operations in 1969 and is one of the top aggregate producers in the U.S., producing about 10 million to 12 million tons of limestone materials annually. The Balcones Quarry currently employs more than 100 people and is one of the largest crushed-stone operations in North America.