THE USE OF PERMEABLE CONCRETE BLOCK PAVEMENT IN CONTROLLING ENVIRONMENTAL STRESSORS IN URBAN AREAS

Abstract

Appropriately designed interlocking concrete block pavers may reduce the amount of pollutants reaching receiving waters by allowing water to be infiltrated into the subsurface layers. Over the course of a number of graduate student dissertations, the University of Guelph investigated the hydrologic performance of permeable concrete paving stone installations of various ages. The primary objective of the studies was to determine the relationship, if any, between infiltration capacity and the age of a permeable concrete paver installation for various land uses and maintenance practices. A summary of the interim findings is presented.