What is permeable pavement?

Permeable pavement, also known as pervious or porous paving, is a type of hard surfacing that allows rainfall to percolate to an underlying reservoir base where rainfall is either infiltrated to underlying soils or removed by a subsurface drain. Permeable pavement can be used instead of standard asphalt and concrete for surfacing sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, and many types of road surfaces. Standard asphalt and concrete are considered to be “impermeable.” Precipitation that falls on or drains to them cannot flow through the surface to the soils below, but runs to the lowest points to be drained away.  more

Pavement is not a particularly environmentally friendly material. In fact, solid-surface pavement promotes water runoff, which carries pollutants into waterways and contributes to flooding. This is not the case with permeable pavement. Permeable pavement is a material that permits water penetration into the soil. It may consist of any porous surface materials which are installed, laid or poured. Permeable pavement provides an attractive surface strong enough to support vehicles while allowing water to drain into the ground, which acts as a natural filter. Permeable pavement is available in the following forms: • Porous concrete. Porous concrete is similar to regular concrete except that it has minimal sand. This leaves voids for the passage of water. • Grass pavers. Grass pavers are plastic or concrete grid systems filled with gravel, mulch or grass to fill the voids. • Porous asphalt. Porous asphalt, also called bituminous permeable paving, uses the same mixing and application ...  more

The Permeable Pavement system is defined as an engineered hard surface with porous areas which captures and temporarily stores stormwater runoff. The captured stormwater is then exfiltrated through an underdrain system, or allowed to infiltrate in to the sub-soil, thus recharging the water table. These systems including but are not limited to Porous Concrete, Permeable Interlocking Concrete Pavers, Permeable Concrete Paver Systems, Concrete Grid Pavers, and Plastic Turf Reinforcing Grid.  more

Permeable pavement is pavement which is designed to allow water to flow through it, rather than repulsing water like traditional pavement. There are a number of reasons to choose to install permeable pavement, with some people believing that this type of pavement is better for the environment. A wide range of styles of pavement can be produced in a way which makes them porous, and many contractors are capable of installing permeable paving products. It is also possible to buy permeable paving materials at home supply stores and construction warehouses, for people who like to do their own work around the home and garden. When water hits permeable pavement, it trickles through the pores in the pavement. When the pavement is installed over gravel and sand to promote drainage, the surface of the pavement often stays relatively dry, with no standing water. From a public safety and comfort perspective, permeable pavement is very convenient because it does not allow puddles to accumulate, ...  more

Permeable pavement is an alternative to conventional concrete and asphalt materials that allows for infiltration of stormwater into a storage area with void spaces that provide temporary storage. Traditional paved surfaces do not allow water to infiltrate and instead converts almost all rainfall into runoff.  more

Permeable pavements are comprised of a layer of pavers separated by joints that are filled with small stones, and an open-graded base, such as crushed stone layers that do not contain small or fine particles. The void spaces between these layers of stone allow water to enter between the pavers, down among the crushed stone base, and infiltrate it back into the soil subgrade. The system provides 100% surface permeability and the base filters stormwater and reduces pollutants. Plainly speaking, permeable pavements are good for the environment. They visually define vehicular and pedestrian traffic areas, reduce micro-climate temperatures and enhance tree growth. A wide variety of patterns, shapes and colors define areas and tie them in with the surrounding structures and landscape. The pavements are designed to improve the health, safety, and well-being of both people and nature.