Permeable pavers are pavers that have been designed to allow water to ‘permeate’ through the system. You are probably interested in them if you live on a waterfront property or have any water issues to contend with. If you are on a waterfront property, they may even be required by the DES in the permitting process as the paver system choice near the water.

It’s all about the way the pavers are designed with spacers that allow water drainage into the layers of varying-sized stone – or aggregate – underneath that filter and direct the water to the lake or storm drain or underground aquifer. This type of stormwater management is beneficial in many applications.

There are many choices of permeable pavers on the market with varying sizes, shapes and colors. They usually look like traditional brick, stone or concrete pavers, but have spaces between them and layers of various aggregate underneath them which acts at a reservoir to absorb and store rainwater and snowmelt. This helps to reduce runoff and erosion and makes an ‘impervious’ surface ‘pervious’.

These paver systems can be constructed to stand up to even the heaviest vehicular traffic. If you need to reduce the pervious square footage on your property or have any kind of stormwater runoff problems in your driveway, then you should look into these paver systems. They are an economically and environmentally sound choice.

Have you ever heard of a ‘Dry Well’? The concept is similar. A dry well usually is a pit filled with gravel, that allows water (that has been directed to it by pipe or slope) to slowly soak into the ground. Permeable Paver systems are engineered and are a much more advanced solution, of course. The pavers are a BEAUTIFUL and useable surface for patios, driveways and walkways. The system of layered aggregates underneath the pavers cover a much larger area than a dry well and are more strategically designed to handle natures worst.

Initial expenses for this type of pavement system may be more than if conventional pavers are used, but consider that by using these pavers, often times the need for underground storm drain pipes and conventional stormwater systems can be eliminated. The costs you may save due to decreased investments in reservoirs, grading, maintenance of storm drain systems etc. could be notable. So, the nature of the pavers and their many uses can save you money in the long run. If you live on a waterfront property there is a permitting process to do in order to have any impervious areas installed on your property. Oftentimes, permeable pavers will be required in order to obtain a permit to do patios on waterfront properties. Good stewards of the land and community will definitely consider using permeable pavers.