Permeable pavement systems are pavement systems—paver driveway, walkway or patio—built to allow water to “permeate” through the surface and into the ground. Also known as or “permeable pavers”, or “permeable interlocking concrete pavements” (PICP), Paver Connection installs them using a proprietary method that layers different sizes of stone allowing rainwater to filter through to an underground drainage pipe system. Request A Quote.
The Benefits of Permeable Pavement Systems
While other systems retain water or allow it to flow into a drainage system, permeable pavement systems mimic the way the land absorb moisture. They are like building a screen over the ground filtering rainwater through the paver joints. While Paver Connection uses pipes to direct and drain water, the system can be designed to collect and recycle stormwater.
Besides their aesthetic beauty, homeowners, communities and home builders are adopting permeable pavement systems for several reasons:
- Solves water runoff issues– A lot of communities – especially in the Houston area – are working to alleviate surface area puddling and flooding by installing permeable pavement systems. These systems allow water to drain off immediately preventing erosion and silt build-up in waterways like bayous, streams, and rivers.
- Preserves groundwater levels – As rainwater falls, permeable pavement systems allow the runoff to absorb through the layers of soil underground and keep groundwater levels healthy.
- Controls pollution– The permeable pavement system’s base and lower rock and soil layers serve as a natural filtration system capturing pollutants and reducing total suspended solids (TSS) levels in rainwater by more than 80% to EPA-mandated standards.
According to a recent study published in Water Research (November 2003)…
- Infiltrated water from permeable pavement systems dramatically decreases copper and zinc levels compared to direct surface runoff from asphalt.
- Reduces motor oil presence that’s detected in 89% of samples from asphalt runoff, but not in any water sample infiltrated through the permeable pavement.
- Maintains tree health– Permeable pavement systems help to deliver groundwater and air to tree roots keeping them healthy. These trees help keep urban areas cooler in the summer and help nurture wildlife.
- Saves money on local fees and taxes– Because flooding is such an issue in the Houston area highlighted by the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey in 2017, homeowners are getting tax incentives, reduced utility fees and faster project approvals when they use permeable pavement systems in their home improvement and remodeling projects.
Here are some additional benefits of permeable pavement systems:
- Reduces erosion in drier areas where plants and grass don’t grow
- Eliminates mosquito breeding grounds, algae, and mold by draining water before it puddles.
- Improves vehicle safety during cold weather by draining driveway water before it freezes.
- Reduces water needed to water gardens and lawns by releasing drainage water into the yard over time.
We think that a lot of the flooding issues in Houston are caused by concrete used by urban planners removing our soil’s natural ability to absorb water. Traditional water management solutions like drainage system expansion are simply not enough. Permeable pavement systems have proven to be effective in helping alleviate water retention. Request A Quote.
