[PSUscaper]

I still question whether they are better than just having trough's or channel drains installed dumping into underground dry wells I've seen this done where large concrete pipes or plastic centipedes are installed under the parking lot and all the storm drains dump into them.

On another note, I once knew a man who was a civil engineer and did a lot with septic design and hazardous materials. He told me about a certain kind of anaerobic bacteria they inject into contaminated sites that eat oil....imagine the 'green hugs' you would get for installing a 'oil eating' stone base under the pavers to not only catch the run-off, but clean it as well.

[ecoscapes]

They won't let you do that at all. That is just like a septic system, that defeats the whole reason for permeable pavers. The whole idea is infiltration not concretration of storm water. PSU you are really Old School! The reason that permeable pavers have come to the market is to promote better infiltration rates in urban and environmentally sensitive areas. To further channelize and pipe stormwater would be counter productive!

[Bunky]

Acorn that is very true. PSU, your concept would work well for SRW's but not for pavers. They cover such a large area and would not be able to control the water, nor clean the water as it filters through. This concept is gaining popularity fast in the larger cities and will become more so in the future. If a Permeable paver application is done right it should control up to 4" of rain per hour. The installation does not appear to be that difficult. Once you dig out the area, it is suggested to NOT compact the soil. If you do so, it may plug up the open pores in the soil. (Including clay) From that point on, it is suggested to compact the clear stone as you would in a normal application. This concept works well, it is only a matter of time before it is specified in all our areas.

[Adam Buckpitt]

It is recommended not to compact the soil including clay except you have to take the traffic the pavement will receive over its life. The clay might have to be compacted to a certain proctor density to prevent rutting. The clay soil may not absorb much less water compacted than it would if it were not. Also heavy clay soils may not absorb enough water to avoid runoff anyway so drain pipes may be needed anyway.

[PSUscaper]

You guys have completely missed what I have said.

The systems I am talking about are drywell systems. They are large, perforated starage units that can handle a lot of water at once (like during a heavy rain) and then slowly let it seep back into the ground. Some kinds do systems where they basically do a underground maze of concrete pipes that is perforated underneath the parking lot they just paved. Then the storm drains dump into those, not out into a city system.

[ecoscapes]

Well I guess you may be able to do that is some places, but I know that wouldn't fly here. They would still treat it like a septic tank. I understand what you are saying. I'm just saying it defeats the propose and function of permeable pavers. The whole point of it is to get water to infiltrate at or near the point it hits the ground.

[mrusk]

Techo just come out with a permable paver that looks top notch.

I think overtime as permable paving becomes more accepted it will really take off.

[Adam Buckpitt]

MRUSK I agree it does look nice. I am a little leary about them receiving any traffic though because there is very little interlock between the pavers with such a large gap. I think they would be great in certain instances.