Amid flooding, droughts, water conservation and pollution con-
cerns, stormwater management has become a prominent topic
throughout the nation in recent years, with regulations and in-
centives trickling down from the federal level, and making their
way into local municipalities. In what initially began as a com-
mercial construction practice for addressing these issues, perme-
able pavers are quickly becoming a trending phenomenon in the
residential arena, as well.
Permeable pavers, also known as permeable interlocking
concrete pavement (PICP) systems, have been proven to reduce
flooding from stormwater runoff, and improve water quality of
local waterways by allowing stormwater to trickle down through
a gradient bed of aggregate, removing pollutants before allowing
water to infiltrate into the earth below.
"PICPs have a longer life cycle than other permeable pave-
ments," said Ken O'Neill, EVP of Belgard, a national leader in
PICP systems. "Pavers are also much more attractive than con-
crete or asphalt, so it's a natural choice for a homeowner who's
either eco-conscious or dealing with stormwater issues."
With several municipalities throughout the country also offering
incentives to conserve or reuse water, incorporating rainwater har-
vesting (RWH) into a PICP system became a natural progression.
"We initially saw PICP stormwater capture and reuse happen-
ing at the commercial level, but now we're seeing it more and
more in the residential market," said O'Neill. "For a residential
driveway or patio, it's easy to add an underground cistern and a
pump to a PICP system, which easily converts rainwater into a
water supply for a home sprinkler or irrigation system."
PICP Rainwater Harvesting
LANDSCAPE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
PHOTOS
PROVIDED
BY
BELGARD
20 November/December 2015 Landscape and Irrigation www.landscapeirrigation.com
The finished Belgard Eco Dublin permeable driveway installed by Hickory Hardscapes coordinates aesthetically with the home's stone veneer, with the added
benefit of preventing runoff from flowing toward the home. The integrated underground rainwater harvesting system captures infiltrated rainwater for reuse
as yard irrigation.
The emerging trend in residential hardscapes
■ BY CHRISTI SIMONEAUX
