pH (of Washout Water)

pH measures how acidic or alkaline a liquid is on a 0–14 scale, with 7 being neutral. Fresh concrete washout water is typically highly alkaline, commonly in the pH 11–13 range, due to dissolved calcium hydroxide released as cement hydrates.

Why it matters: Water in that pH range can burn skin, kill vegetation, and harm aquatic life if it reaches soil or a waterway — which is why washout water is contained and hauled off rather than allowed to infiltrate or run off.