Presentation at the 5th Massachusetts Sustainable Communities and 4th Sustainable Campuses Conference

1. Pervious Surface Solutions
For Water Management

2. The importance of
pervious ground solutions:

3. Food for thought…
Global Water Supply
As Impervious Surfaces Increase 
Water Quality Declines 

4. More problems associated
with impervious surfaces:
Water Quality Issues
• Sediment is carried from
surface wear and erosion.
• Nutrients are
accumulated from surface
flows, especially lawns,
field crops, and pet
waste.
• Temperature increases
due to warm pavements.
• “Industrial” pollution –
fuel, oils, greases,
insecticides, heavy
metals, other toxins are
also picked up.

5. Effects of Combined Sewer Overflow
• CSO (Combined Sewer
Overflow) occurs when a heavy
rain event causes a massive
increase in storm water flow into
the sewage treatment facility and
leads to a combined flow that
exceeds the facility’s total
maximum daily load. This
results in the discharge of raw,
untreated sewage into the river
(or bay or ocean) and
subsequent contamination.
We’ve all seen the beach, boating
and fishing closures that follow
and other subtle effects linger
on.

6. One pervious option:

7. The EPIC System
Chamber2
Saturated Zone
(Water Reservoir)
3
Capillary Zone
(Note Root Depth)
4
Dry Mold Free
Crown Zone
5
Water
Containment
1

8. Drainage
Dynamics of Flow in the Chamber

9. A Typical EPIC Profile
The EPIC profile stays moist
as water wicks upward by
capillary action
from the chambers
The EPIC system can
utilize 40-80% less water
for irrigation
while removing nutrients
Pans
Or
Geomembrane

11. EPIC SystemDrip System
Al Dahra Agricultural Greenhouse; Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
Agriculture

12. • Inner City – Small Footprint
• No Irrigation – No Runoff
Food Co-op Minneapolis,
Minnesota
Storm Water Management

13. (1) Collection, (2) Filtration, (3) Storage,
(4) Timed (72 hr.) self bailing, (5) Reuse.
1
3
5
2
4
Impervious Surface
EPIC Storm Water Management

14. What is Porous Pave?
• Porous Pave is an environmentally friendly
surfacing material made from recycled tires.
• Porous Pave XL
- Uses a Non-Toxic, Urethane Hard Binder
▫ 50% rubber chips, 50% stone aggregate
• Porous Pave XLS
- Uses a Non-Toxic, Urethane Soft Binder
▫ All rubber chips

15.  One of Porous Paves Biggest Features is its Highly
Porous Structure
 Allows Large Volumes of Water to Drain Through It
Quickly
Porous Pave Key Features
Minimizes amount of
water directed to storm
drains , basins, and
other drainage areas.

16. Porous Pave Key Features
Slip Resistant
 High Rubber Content Ensures
Good Traction Even When Wet
 Lessens the Chance of Slip and
Fall Accidents
 Textured Surface is NOT Slippery
Compared to Concrete

17. Pathways / Trailways
 Excellent Erosion Control
and Water Diffusion
Capabilities
 Can be Poured on Slopes
Up To 30% Grade
 Low Impact Installation

18. Parking Lots
 Improves
Pervious/Impervious Ratio
of Site
 Can be Snow Plowed
Without Damage Provided
Shoes Are Used
 Highly Resistant to Gas
and Oil, and Most
Common Chemicals Found
on Parking Lots

20. Aggregate Base Preparation
SPECIAL NOTE
 Base needs to be much thicker where high
water holding capacity is needed.

21. Storm Water Management

22. Defining Porous Pavement
• The EPA Identifies a porous pavement as a
special type of pavement that allows rain
and snowmelt to pass trough it.
• It reduces the runoff from a site and
surrounding area’s.
• In addition, porous pavement filters some
pollutants from the runoff if maintained.

23. Lenape Trail