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PERMEABLE PAVERS

Permeable pavers make it possible to have an attractive surface suitable for pedestrian and vehicular traffic while minimizing the impact of rainfall runoff on storm drains and the surrounding environment. Where most paved surfaces are impervious and create immediate, contaminated runoff during rainstorms, permeable pavers allow runoff to flow between the joints of the pavers. The base layer of the paving system delays, filters, and cleans the runoff before it passes into the ground water table or into the storm drain system. Watch the permeable paver test video below. More information available in Sustainable Design section.

Angelus Permeable Pavers Fact Sheet

Permeable Pavers

A
Edge restraint - concrete depth below bedding rock

B
Joint rock - 1/8" - 3/8" crushed rock (no fines)

C
Permeable paving stone has spacers or void spaces to allow water flow

D
Bedding rock - 2" thick layer, No. 8 stone

E
Base rock - depth varies, No. 57 stone open-graded

F
Subbase rock - depth varies, No. 2 stone

G
Geotextile - filter fabric for full or partial exfiltration; liner for no exfiltration

H
Drain pipe - as needed for partial or no exfiltration

I
Non-compacted native soils

Permeable Pavers FAQs

PICP Quantity and Quality Control Design Types

FULL EXFILTRATION
Quantity and Quality Control
FULL EXFILTRATION

Results in no runoff of stormwater

May also capture building roof runoff

Recharge ground water

Minimizes stress to stormwater systems

Filters water

Cooler pavement

PARTIAL EXFILTRATION
Quantity and Quality Control
PARTIAL EXFILTRATION

Minimizes runoff - may equal predevelopment level

Slows and delays water entering storm system

Filters water before releasing to storm system or natural streams

Cools water before releasing to environmental waters

Cooler pavement

NO EXFILTRATION
Quantity and Quality Control
NO EXFILTRATION

Slows and delays water entering storm system

Filters water before releasing to storm system or natural streams

Cools water before releasing to environmental waters

Cooler pavement

Permeable Paver Test

Watch as 2000 gallons of water is spilled upon SF Rima™ permeable paver. The torrent of water pours for 9 minutes with zero runoff. Compare that to the typical hard surface runoff also shown.

Demonstration by Pacific Outdoor Living; used by permission.