Curious About Pervious?

Think about the last time you took a walk or parked your car. Chances are, you were on an impervious surface – a hardened surface like concrete or asphalt that doesn’t let rainwater pass through.  When rain hits a building or road, it flows with gravity to the nearest storm drain, carrying oil, trash, pet waste, and other chemical pollutants with it.  All this extra water rushes untreated through the stormwater system into canals, creeks then into the bay.

What’s the alternative?

A pervious surface allows rain to pass through it and percolate into the ground.  In natural areas, when rain falls on trees, plants, grass, and soil, its path is slowed allowing time for water to evaporate back into the sky,  be taken up by the plants themselves, and soak into the ground, recharging local aquifers.  Installing pervious surfaces in developed areas is one of the strategies of Low Impact Design (LID), which mimics nature by treating rainfall as a benefit rather than a nuisance, encouraging the capture and use of rainwater on site. PLUS, pervious surfaces tend to be more attractive than pavement, thereby improving home values.

“Replacing old concrete with pervious surfaces, especially pavers, is an easy way to add value and curb appeal to your home.” — Christina Pitchford, Green Certified Broker-REALTOR® Suncoast Homes & Dreams

What kinds of pervious surfaces are there?

There are many options to choose from when installing pervious surfaces, and they all treat water a little differently. For example, water can pass directly through mulch or sand, whereas it must pass in between bricks or stones to reach the ground. Examples of pervious materials include: brick, stone, sand, gravel, shell, and mulch.