How can permeable pavements reduce stormwater runoff in cities?

1 What are permeable pavements?

Permeable pavements are a type of green infrastructure design that uses porous materials to create spaces for water to pass through. They can be made of concrete, asphalt, gravel, or pavers, as long as they have enough voids or gaps to allow infiltration. Permeable pavements can be used for roads, sidewalks, parking lots, or other surfaces that receive rainfall or snowmelt.

2 How do permeable pavements reduce stormwater runoff?

Permeable pavements reduce stormwater runoff by mimicking the natural hydrologic cycle, where water is absorbed by the soil and plants, or recharges groundwater and streams. By allowing water to infiltrate the ground, permeable pavements reduce the volume and velocity of runoff, which reduces the risk of flooding, erosion, and pollution. Permeable pavements also filter and treat water as it passes through the layers of soil and gravel, removing sediments, nutrients, metals, and bacteria.

3 What are the benefits of permeable pavements?

Permeable pavements offer multiple benefits for urban planning, such as improving water quality and quantity, enhancing urban aesthetics and livability, reducing maintenance and operational costs, and increasing resilience and adaptability. These pavements reduce runoff and pollutants while increasing groundwater recharge and baseflow. They also create green spaces, reduce the heat island effect, lower noise levels, and provide a flexible solution that can cope with changing climate conditions and land use patterns. Furthermore, they minimize the need for stormwater management systems.

5 How can you learn more about permeable pavements?

If you are interested in learning more about permeable pavements, there are multiple resources to explore. You can visit websites of organizations that promote green infrastructure design, such as the EPA, ASLA, or LIDC. Additionally, reading case studies and best practices of successful projects that use permeable pavements, like the Chicago Green Alley Program, the Portland Green Streets Program, or the Philadelphia Water Department Green City, Clean Waters Plan can be beneficial. Lastly, joining online communities and forums that discuss and share ideas and experiences about permeable pavements, like the Stormwater Management Academy, NACTO, or the Green Infrastructure Network will provide further insight.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?