Permeable Paver Maintenance Industry Update

Phil Gallicchio

The use of concrete permeable pavers in parking lots, alleyways, driveways and even municipal roadways is well established as an effective way to alleviate flooding, reduce stormwater runoff and provide pollutant control benefits. As the use of permeable pavement expands throughout New England, more attention is being focused on maintenance. All permeable pavements collect sediment and debris, which results in a decreasing infiltration rate. The reduction is gradual over time and most rain events are still infiltrated though aggregate-filled joints. One advantage of permeable paver systems is the ease at which sediment material can be removed and replaced in surface openings. This presentation will review permeable concrete paver surface infiltration rates and the clogging mechanisms that can inhibit vertical water flow. The presentation concludes with a summary of finding from multiple research projects in the last two years from academia and government agencies. These studies evaluated various means and methods of maintaining and restoring permeable pavement surface infiltration. Cleaning equipment such as mechanical sweepers, regenerative air sweepers, true vacuum methods, and hybrid machines including high pressure air and water systems are also reviewed.