Spring has arrived, and our thoughts are turning to exterior home projects. Plus, concerns about April showers and basement flooding may also be top of mind. Especially if your landscape consists of concrete or asphalt hardscaping. These surfaces are impervious. As a result, stormwater and surface run-off does not soak back into the ground naturally. Consequently, this causes issues like flooding and stormwater pollution. Fortunately, permeable pavements, such as DreamPave, are available. So, if it’s time to add or replace a driveway, walkway or patio, consider a permeable material. There are many benefits to a spring spruce-up with permeable pavement.
Benefits of Permeable Pavement
Flood Reduction
Firstly, impervious surfaces interrupt rainwater’s natural cycle. Its path across concrete and asphalt surfaces creates problems. For instance, an increased risk of basement flooding. On the other hand, permeable pavement is a porous, urban surface which allows stormwater and surface run-off to infiltrate into the soil below. For example, DreamPave has a permeable sub-base that allows water to drain 30 cm below the surface back into the soil. An enormous amount of water per second can drain through the DreamPave surface. So, it has the potential to play a major role in flood reduction. Plus, with permeable pavement, puddles are a thing of the past – the surface dries within minutes!
Groundwater Protection
Secondly, permeable surfaces help to protect groundwater, our primary source of drinking water. The amount of available groundwater has been severely reduced over time, owing, in part, to impermeable surfaces used in urban and suburban construction. Impermeable surfaces prevent rain and snow from replenishing groundwater. Additionally, as runoff water is unable to penetrate concrete and asphalt, it is diverted into storm sewage systems, streams, and finally local bodies of water. Runoff water from pavement picks up toxic substances like car oil or pesticide chemicals and dumps them into surrounding bodies of water. As a result, our drinking water supply becomes polluted over time. This can be addressed by installing permeable pavement. For instance, DreamPave’s permeability allows for sustainable rainwater management. Rainwater seeps away naturally and, as a result, contributes to groundwater reserves.
Permeable Pavement Helps Prevent the Accumulation of Heat
Further, heat buildup in and around cities is a problem with impermeable pavement. Impermeable materials, such as asphalt and concrete, absorb sunlight and reflect it back as heat. This heat buildup is called the urban heat island effect. Permeable surfaces, like DreamPave, enhance water evaporation. In turn, this cools the pavement surface and ambient air temperature.
Developed by extensive scientific research and testing via University of Ottawa and the National Research Council of Canada, DreamPave’s intelligent formula creates high strength surfacing that allows rainwater to seep into the soil. Therefore, reducing the stress and pollution on local waterways. Plus, moisture evaporates quickly from its surface, reducing urban heat islands (UHI). DreamPave is not just an alternative to traditional surfacing, but the most advanced approach to the design and construction of walkways, driveways and public spaces. So, let’s say goodbye to puddles and basement flooding when April showers come pouring down!
Click here to read a Toronto Star article about a DreamPave, net-zero run-off property in Toronto.
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