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| MY LOCAL GOVERNMENT > SUSTAINABLE BUILDING > PERMEABLE PAVING | ||
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Stormwater runoff is an expensive and difficult problem facing many municipalities. Pesticides, heavy metals and other toxins are washed into streams, rivers and bays, contaminating those precious resources and endangering wildlife and drinking water supplies. In addition, the sheer amount of runoff can overwhelm municipal systems. Permeable paving is a method of paving low-traffic roads, walkways and parking lots in a way that permits air and water to move through the surface, reducing surface runoff from stormwater and other sources. Permeable paving systems use materials such as durable, porous concrete, asphalt or plastic load-bearing surfaces over a bed of crushed stone.While many new permeable paving products are virtually indistinguishable from their traditional cousins, their impact on the environment is dramatically better. Resources: The EPA's Office of Water conducted some field tests of permeable paving systems for stormwater management. Their two page report shows the results of various paving systems. A more detailed report from the New York Department of Environmental Conservation on stormwater management can be found on their website. Buried deep inside their Design Manual, Chapter Nine (pages 9-37) is an excellent report on permeable paving with guidance for siting, installation techniques and costs. The Boston Metropolitan Area Planning Council has a web page explaining permeable paving, how it works, what types are available, and the benefits and drawbacks of permeable paving.
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GREEN LINKS Uni-Group USA - A leading interlocking concrete paver association with over 30 years experience in the design and production of concrete and permeable pavers. EcoGrid Permeable Paving - Durable, environmentally-friendly, low cost, fill with gravel or grass. MODÌ Porous Paving - MODÌ Porous Paving Grid allows you to park, drive and walk on a grass surface, creating a natural landscape without concrete or asphalt. Green Links features carefully screened products and services which we believe may be helpful to green decision makers. Listing does not imply endorsement by Grassroots. For information about listing your company or service on Green Links, please click here. |
"How Green is My Town?" is a project of Grassroots Environmental Education |