Whats Happening to the Water Cycle?

As we develop our land and increase the amount of paved surfaces and buildings (knownasimperviouscover),thewatercycleis changed.Lessrainfallandsnowmeltsinksinto thegroundandmorewaterflowsrapidlyover the land into our lakes, rivers and estuaries. Stormwater runoff can lead to increased flooding, erosion and pollution and decreased groundwaterrechargeduringdryperiods.

How can we help? Consider Pervious Pavement!

Low Impact Development (LID) techniques manage stormwater runoff by mimicking the natural movement of water in the environment. A great way to recharge groundwater resources, decrease the volume of stormwater runoff, and improve water qualityistoconsiderINSTALLINGAPERVIOUS PAVEMENT patio, walkway, or driveway. Pervious pavements are designed to allow watertopercolatethroughthepavementinto theground.Installingperviouspavementisan easywaytomakeyourhomeenvironmentally friendly!

What is Pervious Pavement?

Pervious pavements allow precipitation to infiltrateonsite,closetowhereitfalls.These productsarepartofanengineeredstormwater systemandshouldbeprofessionallyinstalled.

How Pervious Pavements Work

Pervious pavements require an engineered subsurface to allow for adequate infiltration intotheground.Atypicalinstallationincludes anuncompactedsubsurfacerechargebed

Why Pervious Pavement?

Installing pervious pavement can reduce the amount of stormwater runoff and improvewater qualityinyour community. Infiltrating stormwater Photo:CTDEP runoffthroughperviouspavementcanhelpto:

Pervious concrete and pervious asphalt have compositions similar to traditional pavement, without the fine particles. This creates open areas in the mixture that allow water to drain through Photo:CTDEP thematerialand intotheground.Theseproductscanbeusedin mostofthesameareasastraditionalconcrete and asphalt but should be avoided in areas withhighsedimentloads,suchassoilormulch storageareas.

Photo:FISRWG

Asimpervioussurfacesincrease,the problems associated with stormwater quality also increase. Stormwater can contain pollutants such as sediment, nutrients, bacteria and chemicals that can threaten aquatic health, andcontributetothelossofwaterdependent recreationalactivities.Unmanagedstormwater isrecognizednationallyastheleadingcauseof waterpollutiontoday.

Filter nonpoint source pollutants from paved areas and prevent them from flowingintonearbywaterways Rechargelocalgroundwaterresources Protectriversandstreamsfromerosion Helptocontrollocalflooding Help to reduce the need for sewer upgrades by reducing the amount of stormwaterenteringsanitarysewerlines Pervious pavements can be used for a variety of purposes including driveways, patios, sidewalks,roads,andparkingareas.Thetype of product should be chosen by the intensity andfrequencyofusetheareawillreceive.

Concrete block pavers and concrete grid pavers are not permeable materials but contain spaces in between the blocks or grids to allow for infiltration.These pavers are best used for parking Photo:CTDEP areas,driveways,patios,andsidewalks.

overlaid by the pervious product. In order to function properly, appropriate soil types are necessary beneath the recharge bed and the groundwatertableneedstobedeepenoughto allowforinfiltration.Environmentalconditions may restrict the use of pervious pavements in certain areas so it is recommended that they beprofessionallydesignedandinstalled.

Photo:CahillAssociates

Residential Options for Pervious Pavement Projects

Permeable pavements are a great option for manyresidentialprojectsincluding:

Conventional methods of land development collect and convey stormwater quickly into a seriesofdrainsandpipesthatflowdirectlyinto the closest waterbody with little or no water qualitytreatment.

Plasticgridpaverscontainvoidareasforgrass or gravel, which allow water to infiltrate into the soil, while still providing support for vehicles. Often made from Photo:CTDEP recycled materials, these pavers are best used for overflow parking lots, pathways, and driveways.

Driveways Walkways Patios Sidewalks Shoulder parking Poolareas

By minimizing theamountofimperviouscover on your property through the use of pervious pavements, you can personally make a differenceinthehealthofConnecticutsrivers, lakes,streams,andestuaries!

Photo:UCONN

Common Questions About Pervious Pavement

Doperviouspavementsworkinthewinter? Properly designed pervious pavements can performbetterthantraditionalpavementsinthe winter months. Unlike traditional pavements, waterdoesnotpoolonperviouspavementsit infiltrates into the ground. This prevents snow and ice from refreezing on the surface and organicactivityinthesoilspreventstherecharge bedfromfreezing.PicturesfromaUniversityof New Hampshire Stormwater Center study* comparetwo25Fparkinglotsafterplowing:

Want to Know More? Click to Explore!

ResourcesinConnecticut: TheCTDEPsWatershedManagement Program: www.ct.gov/dep/watersh ed

TheCTDEPs2004ConnecticutStormwater QualityManual: www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?a=2721&q=325 704&depNav_GID=1654

UCONNsNonpointSourceEducationfor MunicipalOfficials(NEMO)Planningfor Stormwaterwebsite: www.nemo.uconn.edu/tools/stormwater/index .htm

PerviousAsphaltTraditionalAsphalt

UNHStormwaterCenterResources: Mainwebsite: http://www.unh.edu/erg/cstev/

Pervious pavements should not be treated with sand,topreventcloggingtheinfiltrationspaces. Studieshaveshownthatperviouspavementscan use upto75%lesssaltfordeicingpurposes than traditionalpavements.

WinterMaintenanceGuidelinesforPorous Pavements: http://www.unh.edu/erg/cstev/pubs_specs_inf o/winter_maintenance_fact_sheet.pdf

Howdoyoumaintainperviouspavements? Perviouspavementsshouldbevacuumedwitha specially designed vacuum 24 times a year to remove debris and excess sediments from the void spaces. Although pervious pavements can still infiltrate water when they are partially clogged, proper maintenance is important to maximizewaterqualitybenefits.

*Publications,Specifications,andInformation onPerviousPavements: http://www.unh.edu/erg/cstev/pubs_specs_inf o.htm

AdditionalTownInformation:
Includingcontactsandlocalresources

Rainfall
asa

Resource

A Residents Guide to Pervious Pavement in Connecticut

EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyResources: TheEPAsGreenInfrastructureWebSite PermeablePavements: http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/greeninfrastructur e/technology.cfm#permpavements

*FourthBrochureoftheLIDSeries* For more info rmat io n co ntac t C T DE P s N onpoint S ourc e Po l lu t ion Pro gra m: JessicaMorganLI DC o ord in at o r jessica.morgan@ct.gov 8604185994 http://www.ct.gov/dep/watershed

ThisperviouspavementsidewalkatBushnellPark in Hartford was fundedin part by a Section 319 CleanWaterActGrant.Photo:CTDEP

ConnecticutDepartmentof EnvironmentalProtection BureauofWaterProtectionandLandReuse PlanningandStandardsDivision 79ElmStreet,Hartford,Connecticut06106

Howmuchdoesperviouspavementcost? The costs of pervious pavement can vary, dependingonthetypeofpavement,soiltypes anddepthtogroundwater,andthesizeofthe project. The initial costs may be higher than traditionalpavementsbutthisisoftenoffsetby savings in infrastructure costs such as stormwaterpondsandcurbs,andlessneedfor deicinginthewinter.

TheEPAsLIDWebSiteProvidesInformationon PermeablePavementsandLIDCosts: http://www.epa.gov/nps/lid/

OtherResources: Anarticleonthelongevityofpervious pavementsinthejournalStormwater: http://stormh2o.com/mayjune 2003/pavementporousbmps.aspx

TheDEPisanaffirmativeaction/equalopportunityemployer.Inconformancewiththe ADA individuals with disabilities who need information in an alternative format, to allowthemtobenefitand/orparticipateintheagencysprogramsandservices,should call (860)424 3051 or (860) 4185937 and make their request to the AAO staff person. Requests for accommodations to attend meetings and/or educational programs, sponsored by the DEP, must be made at least two weeks prior to the program date. These requests may be made directly to Marcia Z. Bonitto, ADA Coordinator,viaemail:Marcia.Bonitto@ct.gov

Created09/09Thisdocumentwasprintedonrecycledpaper.