By eliminating the need for retention ponds, swales, and other stormwater devices, pervious concrete can lower overall project costs on a first-cost basis, and makes more efficient use of the land Use of pervious concrete is among the Best Management Practices (BMP) recommended by the EPA and other agencies for the management of stormwater runoff on a regional and local basis.

Pervious concrete can provide a project with a high number of points toward certification under the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Green Building Rating System.

Pervious pavement integrates hardscape surfaces with stormwater management. It is made by carefully controlling the amounts of water and cementitious materials used to create a paste that forms a thick coating around aggregate particles. Unlike conventional concrete, the mixture contains little or no sand, creating a substantial void content – between 15% to 25%. The final result is a solid, uniform pavement that allows water to pass through. By allowing rainwater to seep into the ground, pervious concrete can be instrumental in recharging groundwater and reducing stormwater runoff.

Pervious concrete has many environmental benefits:

Stormwater Management. By allowing water to soak through and infiltrate, pervious paving reduces stormwater flow and pollutant loads.

Minimize Site Disturbance. Because the use of pervious concrete allows developers to integrate paving and drainage, less site area may need to be used to manage stormwater, allowing a more compact site development footprint.

Local. Materials are usually extracted and manufactured locally. The manufacturing process of portland cement, the binding element of concrete and one of the key ingredients of pervious concrete, is not tied to a certain region of the country and the materials involved in the process are readily available throughout North America.

Recycled Content. First, portland cement is often produced by including recycled industrial byproducts such fly ash into the manufacturing process to minimize dependence on virgin raw materials.

Additionally, materials such as fly ash, slag cement, silica fume, and recycled aggregates can be incorporated into concrete, thereby diverting materials from the landfill and reducing use of virgin materials.

Cool. The voids reduce mass reducing the heat build up associated with heat islands. Lighter colored cements can increase reflectivity.

Applications for pervious concrete include:

• Low-volume pavements
• Residential roads, alleys, and driveways
• Low-water crossings
• Parking lots
• Sidewalks and pathways
• Patios
• Tennis courts
• Swimming pool decks
• Pavement edge drains
• Foundations/floors for greenhouses, fish hatcheries, aquatic amusement centers, and zoos
• Load bearing and other walls
• Sound barriers
• Artificial reefs
• Well linings
• Hydraulic structures
• Tree grates in sidewalks
• Groins and seawalls