Environmental Benefits
There are many benefits to using pervious concrete instead of asphalt or traditional concrete, and we will discuss the big ones here. If you think of additional benefits or applications, please email us here and we may post it!
Native Hydrology
Fundamentally, what is most exciting about pervious concrete, is that we are returning land to a pre-developed hydrology, while maintaining the useful hard surface that we prefer to live, work, play and drive on. The rain that falls can again soak into the ground it landed on instead of flowing across a hardscape, picking up contaminants, and getting sent through pipes to the ocean.
Removes Pollution
When rain soaks into the ground, not only does it re-charge, or re-fill, the groundwater and local aquifers, but it also filters out the stormwater contaminants. Instead of picking up the pollution and sweeping it into surface streams and finally the ocean, the pervious concrete, and native soil filter out the heavy metals, hydrocarbons, and other pollutants passively. In this way, we remove the biggest pollution source of our freshwater in North America in a very affordable way!
Cool Pavement
Pervious concrete is a cool pavement, allowing an air and water exchange from the surface of the pavement to the sub-soil beneath. Studies have shown that trees and landscaping thrives with pervious concrete due to this and other effects. This also reduces the heat island effect of dense development.
Native Hydrology
Fundamentally, what is most exciting about pervious concrete, is that we are returning land to a pre-developed hydrology, while maintaining the useful hard surface that we prefer to live, work, play and drive on. The rain that falls can again soak into the ground it landed on instead of flowing across a hardscape, picking up contaminants, and getting sent through pipes to the ocean.
Removes Pollution
When rain soaks into the ground, not only does it re-charge, or re-fill, the groundwater and local aquifers, but it also filters out the stormwater contaminants. Instead of picking up the pollution and sweeping it into surface streams and finally the ocean, the pervious concrete, and native soil filter out the heavy metals, hydrocarbons, and other pollutants passively. In this way, we remove the biggest pollution source of our freshwater in North America in a very affordable way!
Cool Pavement
Pervious concrete is a cool pavement, allowing an air and water exchange from the surface of the pavement to the sub-soil beneath. Studies have shown that trees and landscaping thrives with pervious concrete due to this and other effects. This also reduces the heat island effect of dense development.
Local Materials
Pervious concrete is composed of cement, local aggregate and water, with optional ad-mixtures. It can be made using waste materials from industry like fly ash, slag, micro silica and recycled aggregate, and so can increase its recycled content.
Green Credits
Due to these attributes, pervious concrete qualifies for points with LEED, CAL Green and Green Point Rated systems. For LEED, designing with pervious concrete falls under Sustainable Sites, Innovation in Design and Water Efficiency. It is also an EPA Stormwater Pollution Prevention Best Management Practice. If you would be interested in more information, click the button and get in touch!