With a career rooted in quarrying and concrete product manufacturing, Owen Batham, Sales and Marketing Director at Elite Precast Concrete, is well placed to highlight how reducing waterlogging in material storage offers a host of valuable benefits.

Lower Transportation Costs
Preventing water ingress in stored aggregates and quarried materials helps maintain their dry, original weight. This avoids unnecessary haulage charges, which are often calculated by weight—essentially saving money by not paying to transport water.

Improved Handling Efficiency
Dry materials are far easier to handle, load and process. This leads to reduced manual handling times, less wear on machinery and a lower risk of accidents, particularly slips and falls in wet, slippery storage areas.

Preservation of Material Quality
Excess water can compromise material integrity, causing clumping, leaching of fines and even encouraging mould or corrosion—particularly in recycled or secondary aggregates. Keeping stockpiles dry helps maintain consistent quality and performance for end users.

Reduced Material Waste
Materials damaged by water exposure—whether through spoilage, contamination or fines loss—often need to be discarded, leading to higher costs. Effective drainage and dry storage significantly reduce this wastage.

Enhanced Operational Efficiency
Dry stockpiles streamline operations by simplifying the loading, processing and delivery of materials. This translates into improved productivity across the site.

Lower Energy Costs
Wet materials often require extra drying or separation before they can be used, increasing energy use. Keeping aggregates dry from the start reduces the need for these additional processes.

Extended Shelf Life
Many materials used in construction and concrete production last longer when stored in dry conditions. This extends their usability, reducing the need for frequent stock replenishment.

Improved Safety
Waterlogged areas around storage bays can create hazardous ground conditions and increase the risk of slips, trips and falls. Proper drainage and dry storage facilities help create a safer working environment for staff.

Regulatory Compliance
Good water management helps operators comply with UK regulations covering groundwater protection, runoff control and pollution prevention—avoiding potential fines and maintaining environmental standards.

Cost Savings
Combined, these benefits lead to significant cost reductions—through lower transport and labour expenses, reduced energy usage, minimised waste and more efficient site operations.

Conclusion
Owen concludes that UK quarry operators can protect their materials, improve site productivity and boost environmental performance by investing in robust drainage and dry storage solutions. This includes features like well-designed storage bays, covered stockpiles and efficient site water management.

As manufacturers of Legato® and Duo™ interlocking blocks, frequently used to build storage bays in the quarrying sector, Elite Precast Concrete has seen first-hand how such systems preserve material quality, enhance workflow and cut operational costs. Elite also partners with specialist providers to design and install tailored storage solutions, helping clients maximise space and maintain dry, efficient storage facilities.