Field evaluation of permeable pavement systems for improved stormwater management

The contribution of impervious surfaces to the disrupted runoff processes in an urban watershed is overwhelming. Nearly all the problems ultimately result from the loss of the water-retaining function of the soil in the urban landscape. Traditional solutions for stormwater management have not been widely successful; in contrast, permeable pavements can be one element of a more promising alternative approach to reduce the downstream consequences of urban development. We report on a constructed experimental Facility for measuring water quantity and water quality from four different permeable parking surfaces. Preliminary results demonstrate similar runoff performances of the surfaces relative to each other, and significant attenuation of runoff relative to traditional asphalt.