Pervious or Porous Pavement

Pervious or Porous Asphalt is unlike traditional pavement in that it allows precipitation to seep through to a gravel storage layer. This seepage allows the water to be filtered and eventually makes it back into natural groundwater instead of pooling on the surface and running off into lakes, streams, and wetlands.

Asphalt, concrete, brick, stone, and metals seal surfaces, repel water, and prevent precipitation and melt water from infiltrating into soils. Research studies have shown that water quality decreases when the amount of impervious surface increases. This is due to the increased runoff and the high levels of pollutants associated with impervious surface. The effect is an alteration of the plant and wildlife communities and a general decrease in biodiversity.

Wetland C-1L
Before this project, the rooftops, asphalt and sidewalks drained to Wetland C-1L without treatment. Water sampling by the SMSC Land Department found impacts from road salt, excessive runoff, oil, antifreeze, grease, and metals from automobiles.

The Benefit:
Prior to this project there were 2.6 acres of impervious surface.
After installing the pervious pavement, pavers, landscaping and bioretention areas, only 0.9 acres of impervious surface remain. The result is:

• increased storm water treatment
• decreased salt application
• reduced impacts from runoff
• improved habitat, water quality, and biodiversity

Plantings Near Pod 5 Patio

Click over plantings to view a photo and description of that plant.