Paving the Way to Cleaner Water
New pervious pavement projects are cost effective ways to
manage stormwater and improve water quality
(Port Orchard, WA)- Kitsap County Roads crews begin installing
pervious pavement this week in the first of three pilot paving projects in
three county neighborhoods. A 350 foot section of NW Canyon Street in North
Kitsap is the first of three projects to test pervious pavement. Additional
applications are planned for Bridle View Place in Central Kitsap and SE
Holly Court in South Kitsap.
Pervious pavement allows water to flow through the road surface and soak
into the ground. Instead of polluted runoff discharging directly into
streams, the soil underneath pervious pavement naturally filters surface
water. The amount of runoff is reduced and what does run off the surface is
much cleaner.
"Pervious pavement can significantly reduce the amount of stormwater
runoff compared to conventional pavement,” according to Chris May, Kitsap
County’s Surface and Stormwater Program Manager. “It results in less need
for other stormwater infrastructure such as piping, catch basins and ponds,
and is a cost-effective way to manage stormwater and improve water quality”
said May. Don Schultz, the County’s Road Superintendent is interested in the
results of the testing. “Pervious surfaces can be an integral part of a
surface water management strategy. Pilot projects like these allow the
opportunity to test this type of surfacing in a real-world application,”
said Schultz.
What is pervious pavement?
Pervious pavement is similar to conventional pavement, but some of the fine
material is not added to the mix, resulting in spaces where water can pass
through. After water drains through pervious pavement, it is held in a stone
recharge bed, and then slowly soaks (infiltrates) into the ground. A pervious
surface can be made of concrete, asphalt or pavers, and are used for roads,
sidewalks, trails, parking lots, and other surfaces.
“Pervious pavement treats stormwater as a resource, instead of a nuisance,”
May said. “We are excited about these three pervious asphalt projects,
particularly because County employees are building them. Projects like
these, as well as our residential rain garden program, are part of a
long-range effort to treat stormwater more naturally and conserve our water
resources. We want to build more LID projects like these in the future.”
What are the benefits of pervious pavement?
- Decreases the amount of runoff leaving a site
- Improves water quality by filtering pollutants from
runoff
- Recharges the groundwater supply
- Reduces the speed of stormwater runoff
- Requires less need for other stormwater infrastructure
such as piping, catch basins, and ponds
- Reduces ice formation during cold weather
- Reduces spray from tires, making for safer driving
conditions
What is Low Impact Development?
Low Impact Development (LID) is a stormwater management approach using
natural features to keep stormwater runoff close to its source. Frequently
used LID practices include rain gardens, green roofs, bioretention, and
pervious pavement. In using these techniques, we can make developed areas
act more like a forest, absorbing rainwater and improving water quality.
Additional Resources:
For more information about the Surface and Stormwater Management program,
visit www.kitsapgov.com/sswm
