Soak Up the Rain: Permeable Pavement
Alternatives to traditional pavement on our paved surfaces can help reduce runoff by infiltrating rain water and melting snow. These alternative materials which include pervious asphalt, pervious concrete, interlocking pavers, and plastic grid pavers, allow rain and snowmelt to seep through the surface down to underlying layers of soil and gravel. In addition to reducing the runoff from the rain that falls on them, permeable pavements can help filter out pollutants that contribute to water pollution. Permeable pavements can also reduce the need for road salt and reduce construction costs for residential and commercial development by reducing the need for some conventional drainage features.
Information About Permeable Pavement
Permeable Pavements, Green Infrastructure, U.S. EPA
Local resources
Connecticut
A Resident's Guide to Pervious Pavement in Connecticut, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (PDF) (2 pp, 562 K, about PDF) Exit
Introduces pervious pavements, including information on how it works, the types and benefits, and residential applications.
Connecticut Stormwater Manual, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Exit
Chapter 11 includes information on permeable pavement (PDF) (4 pp, 890 K, about PDF). Exit
Massachusetts
Porous Pavement, Clean Water Toolkit, Massachusetts Nonpoint Source Pollution Management Manual, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Exit
Permeable Paving, Massachusetts Low Impact Development Toolkit Fact Sheet, Metropolitan Area Planning Council Exit
Factsheet describes types of permeable paving, their benefits and limitations, maintenance, design details and cost.
New Hampshire
Pervious Walkways & Patios Do-it-Yourself Fact Sheet, New Hampshire Homeowner’s Guide to Stormwater Management, Do-It-Yourself Stormwater Solutions For Your Home, Soak Up the Rain New Hampshire, March 2016 (PDF) (66 pp, 4 MB, about PDF) Exit
Refer to page 29 for the fact sheet with information about sizing, design, installation and maintenance of a pervious walking or patio.
University of New Hampshire Stormwater Center Exit
Find a range of information about permeable pavements, including design specifications, water quality benefits, and performance in cold climates.
Rhode Island
Permeable Pavement Projects around Rhode Island, LID Inventory, University of Rhode Island, Rhode Island Stormwater Solutions Exit
Rhode Island Stormwater Management Guidance for Individual Single-Family Residential Lot Development (PDF) (15 pp, 719 K, about PDF) Exit
Vermont
Pervious Pavement, Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation Exit
Illustrations and photos along with some basic information about different materials.
Pervious Pavement Fact Sheet, Vermont Agency of Natural Resources (PDF) (2 pp, 1.2 MB, About PDF) Exit
Includes critical components and considerations, costs and maintenance
Vermont Low Impact Development Guide for Residential and Small Sites, Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (PDF) (54 pp, 4.7 MB, about PDF) Exit
Includes a review of the benefits and limitations of permeable pavement.
South Burlington Stormwater Utility Low Impact Development Guidance Manual, 2009 (PDF) (78 pp, 4.7 MB, about PDF) Exit
Guidance includes an introduction to porous pavement including design criteria and maintenance.