4.1.

Permeable Pavement Systems

Permeable Pavement provides the structural support of conventional pavement, but allows
stormwater to drain directly through the surface into the underlying stone base and soils, thereby
reducing storm water runoff. There are permeable varieties of asphalt, concrete, and interlocking
pavers. Permeable pavements are designed with an open graded stone sub-base that allows water
to pass through to the native soil and/or provides temporary storage. Some of the benefits to
using permeable pavements include: a reduction in the amount of storm pipes and inlet structures
required; the ability to have more parking areas built to accessible slopes (due to flatter grades
achievable with porous surfaces); improved growing conditions of plant material in landscape
islands due to air and water available through porous surface; pedestrian safety due to improved
winter and wet weather pavement conditions.

KEEP INDIANAPOLIS BEAUTIFUL HEADQUARTERS: 1029 FLETCHER AVE.

INDIANAPOLIS, IN- INTEGRATED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT-
FEATURES PERVIOUS CONCRETE, CISTERN AND RAIN GARDENS TO MEET
STORM WATER REGULATIONS

Stormwater Design and Specification Manual Page 48

Draft Green Infrastructure Supplemental Stormwater Document March 2010
Key Elements:
Porous structural surface with high infiltration rate.
Porous surface and stone sub-base suitable for design traffic loads. Can be used on most
travel surfaces with slopes less than 5%.
Uncompacted, level sub-grade allows infiltration of storm water.
Open-graded aggregate sub-base provides storage.
Additional storage and control structures can be incorporated to meet flood control.
Positive overflow prevents system flooding.

Table 4.2.1: Permeable Pavement Potential Application and Storm Water

Regulation
Potential applications Storm water regulations
No
Infiltration Infiltration
Residential
Subdivision: Yes Water Quality Benefit Yes No
Commercial: Yes Volume Reduction Yes Yes
Ultra Urban: Yes Attenuation Benefit Yes Yes
Industrial: Yes
Retrofit: Yes
Highway Road: Limited,
where
approved

Acceptable Forms of Pre-treatment

Maintenance

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Permeable Pavement in the Urban Landscape
Permeable pavement systems are used to promote infiltration
of storm water runoff. This technique is very effective in
reducing the volume of storm water entering a sewer system
and is being studied for its effectiveness for removing
pollutants. During a rain event, storm water flows through
the porous surface, drains into the crushed stone sub-base
beneath the pavement, and remains stored until storm water
can infiltrate into the soil or, in the case of detention, until it
can overflow into a specified drainage outlet. Porous asphalt
and concrete mixes are similar to their impervious counterparts, BRENTWOOD SCHOOL-PLAINFIELD,
but do not include the finer grade particles. Interlocking pavers IN-PERMEABLE PAVER SYSTEM
have openings that are filled with stone to create a porous surface. APPLICATION

Permeable pavement systems are suitable for any type of

development. They are especially well suited for parking
lots, walkways, sidewalks, basketball courts, and
playgrounds. Proper training of owner, users and
maintenance staff will help to prolong the life of the system.

Alternate for Paved Surfaces

Almost any surface that is traditionally paved with an
impervious surface can be converted to a porous pavement
system. Porous surfaces are particularly useful in high
density areas where there is limited space for other storm
water management systems. Porous pavement can be used PURDUE UNIVERSITY-WEST LAFAYETTE,
for parking lots, basketball courts, playgrounds, plazas, IN PERVIOUS CONCRETE APPLICATION
sidewalks and trails. Interlocking porous pavers can be used
to provide an interesting aesthetic alternative to traditional
paving. Porous pavement can be designed to meet the
loading requirements for most parking lots and travel
surfaces. However, for lots or loading areas that receive a
high volume of heavy traffic and/or turning movements (as
in a restaurant drive-thru lane), porous pavement can be used
for parking stalls and conventional pavement for travel lanes
and loading areas. In this case the impervious surfaces could
be graded toward the porous surfaces.

MORTON ARBORETUM- CHICAGO,

IL PERMEABLE PAVER SYSTEM
APPLICATION

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Direct connection of roof leaders and/or inlets
The stone sub-base storage of permeable pavement systems can be designed with extra capacity,
and roof leaders and inlets from adjacent impervious areas can be tied into the sub-base to capture
additional runoff. These stone beds can be sized to accommodate runoff from rooftops via direct
connection or to supplement other storm water Best Management Practices (BMPs). Pretreatment
may be necessary to prevent particulate materials from these surfaces from clogging the sub-base
of the porous pavement system. All permeable pavement systems must include a positive
overflow.

Direction of Impervious Runoff to Permeable Pavement System

Adjacent impervious surfaces can be graded so that the flow from the impervious area flows over
the porous pavement and into the sub-base storage below if sufficient capacity is created.
Typically, it is recommended that the impervious area does not exceed 3 to 5 times the area of the
porous pavement receiving the runoff.

INTERCARE-INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA ELMHURST COLLEGE-ELMHURST

PERMEABLE PAVEMENT SYSTEM ILLINOIS-PERMEABLE PAVER SYSTEM

PURDUE UNIVERSITY- WEST LAFAYETTE IN PERVIOUS

CONCRETE DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT

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Components of a Permeable Pavement System
Different porous surfaces are used for porous pavement systems, but all rely on the same primary
components:
Inflow/Surfacing
Storage
Infiltration/Outflow

Figure 4.2.1: Permeable Paver

System Cross Section

Figure 4.2.2: Pervious Concrete

System Cross Section

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Inflow/Surfacing
There are many different types of structural surface materials that allow water to flow through
void spaces within the material. Any of these alternatives serve as a form of conveyance and
filtration for the storage bed below. Several of the most commonly used porous structural
surfaces are described below, but this does not represent an exhaustive list of the porous surfaces
appropriate for storm water management applications.

Porous concrete (a/k/a Portland Cement, Pervious

Concrete, or PCPC)
Porous concrete was developed in the U.S. by the Florida
Concrete Association in the 1970s. While its early applications
remained in Florida and other southern areas, the last ten years
have seen an increase in the use of porous concrete in freeze-
thaw regions. According to the ACI Committee Report 522R-
06, the term “pervious concrete” typically describes a zero-
slump, open graded material consisting of Portland cement,
coarse aggregate, little or no fine aggregate, admixtures and
water. Like porous asphalt, porous concrete is produced by substantially reducing the number of
fines in the mix in order to establish voids for drainage. Porous concrete has a coarser appearance
than its conventional counterpart.

Porous asphalt
Porous asphalt pavement was first developed in the 1970s and
consists of standard bituminous asphalt in which the fines have
been screened and reduced, allowing water to pass through very
small voids. Recent research in open-graded mixes for highway
application has led to additional improvements in porous asphalt
through the use of additives and binders. Porous asphalt is very
similar in appearance to conventional, impervious asphalt.

Permeable pavers
Permeable pavers are interlocking units (often concrete) with
openings that can be filled with a pervious material such as
gravel. These units are often very attractive and are especially
well suited to plazas, patios, small parking areas, etc. There are
also plastic grids that can be filled with gravel to create a fully
gravel surface that is not as susceptible to rutting and
compaction as traditional gravel lots. Gravel used in interlocking
concrete pavers or plastic grid systems must be well graded to
ensure permeability.

Reinforced turf
Reinforced turf consists of interlocking structural units with
openings that can be filled with soil for the growth of turf grass and are suitable for traffic loads
and parking. They are often used in overflow or event parking as well as emergency access for
fire trucks. Reinforced turf grids are made of concrete or plastic and are underlain by a stone
and/or a sand drainage system for storm water management. While both plastic and concrete units
perform well for storm water management and traffic needs, plastic units may provide better turf

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establishment and longevity, largely because the plastic will not absorb water and diminish soil
moisture conditions. The grids protect the root structure of the grass and minimize the impact on
the grass by traffic loads.

Storage
In addition to distributing mechanical loads, coarse aggregate laid beneath porous surfaces is
designed to store storm water prior to infiltration into soils or discharging to a storm water BMP.
The aggregate is wrapped in a non-woven geotextile to prevent migration of soil into the storage
bed and resultant clogging. In porous asphalt and porous paver applications, the storage bed also
has a choker course of smaller aggregate to separate the storage bed from the surface course. The
storage bed can be designed to manage runoff from areas other than the porous surface above it,
or can be designed with additional storage and control structures that meet the parameters
required within the Storm water Design and Specification Manual.

Positive Overflow
Positive overflow must be provided for porous pavement systems. Positive overflow conveys
runoff from larger storms out of the system, prevents flooding and prevents
water from standing within the porous structural surface which minimizes
freeze-thaw impacts. One solution for a positive overflow is a stone buffer
along the edges of a porous pavement lot. The stone, typically river rock
or a stone with aesthetic value, is connected to the stone sub-base below
the pavement to allow a path for excess water to flow out of the system.
The stone should allow positive overflow to occur at an elevation below
the structural surface. A perforated pipe system can also convey water
from the storage bed to an outflow structure. The storage bed and outflow
structure can be designed to meet the detention requirements of the Storm
Water Design and Specification Manual. Inlets can be used to provide
positive overflow if additional rate control is not necessary. More
information about large underground storage systems can be found in the
Subsurface Infiltration Fact Sheet.

Recommended Design Procedure SIDE BY SIDE COMPARISON OF

Design of porous pavement systems is critical if they are to function STANDARD ASPHALT WITH POROUS
properly and efficiently. The area and shape are dependent on the site ASPHALT
design, and selection of the surface material is dependent on intended site
uses and desired appearance. The depth of the stone base can be adjusted depending on the
management objectives, total drainage area, traffic load, and soil characteristics. The following
design procedures are general guidelines that designers can follow.

Determine if site is acceptable for use of porous pavements.

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Siting for Porous Pavements
Porous pavements are not suited for every site. Site evaluation is critical for the success of
porous pavement. Porous pavements should not be used until the site has met the minimum
standards required for their use. Some minimum standards are:
High water table depth to bottom of stone storage layer must be 4 feet or greater.
For optimal performance locate systems on well-drained permeable soils with field verified
permeability rates.
Land surrounding and draining to the pavement doesn’t exceed 20% slope.
Minimum setback of 100 feet from wells used to supply drinking water or as required by
local agency. Not recommended for use in well-head protection zones.
Minimum setback of 10 feet from down-gradient of building foundations or as required by
building code.
Determine the detention and water quality requirements on the site. See the Storm Water
Design and Specification Manual for more information.
Create a Conceptual Site Plan for the entire site and determine what portion of the
detention/retention sizing requirements porous pavement will meet.
Investigate the feasibility of infiltration in the area proposed for a porous pavement (hotspot
investigation, infiltration test, and geotechnical analysis).
Create a conceptual design for the porous pavement system.

Table 4.2.2: Suggested Starting Porous Pavement Design Values

Area (surface area and infiltration area) Largest feasible on site

Choker/Aggregate Bed Depth 8-36 inches

Estimate the total storage volume and adjust area and/or depths as needed to provide required
storage. Assume a void ratio of approximately 40% for #8 washed stone.
Design system with a level bottom; use a terraced system on slopes. Provide a positive slope
for the bottom if the underlying soils have a high clay content or low permeability in general.
Using infiltration area and the saturated vertical infiltration rate of the native soil, estimate
how long the surface ponding and soil storage will take to drain. The maximum drain down
time for the entire storage volume is 72 hours, but the Engineer may choose a shorter time
based on site conditions and Owner preference. If storage does not drain in the time allowed,
adjust aggregate depth and/or surface area. Adjust the design until the volume and drainage
time constraints are met. Ensure that the storage volume does not occur within the porous
structural surface, but is entirely contained within the stone sub-base below it. Underdrains
placed at the top of the aggregate bed can serve to minimize or prevent standing water in the
structural surface.
Per City of Fort Wayne requirements, at least one underdrain shall be used for all porous
pavement systems. Additional underdrains may be required based on layout and individual
site conditions.
Design distribution and overflow piping to minimize chance of clogging.
Check that any release rate requirements (including release through any underdrain) are met
by the system as designed. Typically, the underdrain pipe can be set at an elevation higher
than the stone bottom to allow detention within the stone. See the Storm Water Design and
Specification Manual.

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 Design adequate storm water quality BMP(s) downstream of the porous pavement to treat the
water quality volume per the Storm Water Design and Specification Manual.
Complete construction plans and specifications.

Table 4.2.3: Required Stone Storage Gradation

U.S. Standard Sieve Size Percent passing

2 ½” (63 mm) 100

2” (50 mm) 95 - 100

Materials
Subsurface Storage Beds
All aggregates within infiltration beds shall meet the following:
1. Uniformly graded, crushed, washed coarse aggregate
2. Maximum wash loss of 0.5%
3. Minimum Durability Index of 35
4. Maximum abrasion of 10% for 100 revolutions and maximum of 50% for 500 revolutions.

Choker course aggregate, where needed, shall meet the specifications of AASHTO No.
57.
Storage stone should meet the specifications of AASHTO No. 3. Additional storage
materials are further discussed in the Subsurface Infiltration Fact Sheet.

Table 4.2.4: Required Choker Course Gradation

U.S. Standard Sieve Size Percent passing

1 ½” (37.5 mm) 100

1” (25 mm) 95 - 100

½” (19 mm) 25-60

4 (4.75 mm) 0 - 10

8 (2.36 mm) 0-5

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Porous pavement mix designs are often ‘local’ to a region as aggregate properties vary depending
on the region. Also, advances in mix designs of porous pavements continue to evolve.
Therefore, the information listed below for porous asphalt and pervious concrete pavements
should be used as a foundation for the mix designs and local suppliers should be consulted to
finalize the mix design for the project.

Porous Bituminous Asphalt

Bituminous surface shall be laid with a bituminous mix of 5.75% to 6% by weight dry
aggregate. In accordance with ASTM D6390, drain down of the binder shall be no greater
than 0.3%. Aggregate grain in the asphalt shall be a minimum 90% crushed material and have
the following gradation.

Table 4.2.5: Porous Bituminous Aggregate Gradation

U.S. Standard Sieve Size Percent passing

½ (12.5 mm) 100

3/8” (9.5 mm) 92 - 98

4 (4.75 mm) 34 - 40

8 (2.36 mm) 14 - 20

16 (1.18 mm 7 - 13

30 (0.60 mm 0-4

200 (0.075 mm) 0-2

Neat asphalt binder modified with an elastomeric polymer to produce a binder meeting the
requirements of PG 76-22 as specified in AASHTO MP-1. The elastomer polymer shall be
styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS), or approved equal, applied at a rate of 3% by weight of the
total binder.
Hydrated lime should be added at a dosage rate of 1% by weight of the total dry aggregate to
mixes containing granite. Hydrated lime shall meet the requirements of ASTM C 977. The
additive must be able to prevent the separation of the asphalt binder from the aggregate and
achieve a required tensile strength ratio (TSR) of at least 80% on the asphalt mix when tested
in accordance with AASHTO T 283. The asphaltic mix shall be tested for its resistance to
stripping by water in accordance with ASTM D-1664. If the estimated coating area is not
above 95 percent, anti-stripping agents shall be added to the asphalt.
The asphaltic mix shall be tested for its resistance to stripping by water in accordance with
ASTM D-3625. If the estimated coating area is not above 95 percent, anti-stripping agents
shall be added to the asphalt.

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Porous Concrete

Portland Cement Type I, II or III conforming to ASTM C 150 or Portland Cement Type IP or
IS conforming to ASTM C 595.

No. 8 coarse aggregate (3/8 to No. 16) per ASTM C 33 or No. 89 coarse aggregate (3/8 to no.
50) per ASTM D 448.

As mentioned above, due to the variations in aggregate, mix designs for pervious concrete
vary in the different regions of the country. There is no ideal mix that will produce the same
result in all locations. Local concrete suppliers who are certified to produce pervious
concrete can provide a mix design that will meet the desired pavement performance.
Typically for pervious concrete pavements in central Indiana the:
water/cement ratio varies from 0.26 to 0.40
concrete mixture void content varies from 15% to 25%
cement content is 350 lbs/cubic yard minimum for vehicular traffic loading
use of a hydration stabilizing admixture (HSA) is strongly recommended
Test pours are recommended to ensure adequate strength, porosity and appearance of the pervious
concrete.

The Indiana Ready Mixed Concrete Association has a system of certifying installers for pervious
concrete. The certified installers are listed on their website at www.irmca.com. Only certified
installers shall be used for the pervious concrete installations which are to serve as storm water
infrastructure and detention facilities.

Paver and Grid Systems

Paver and grid systems shall conform to manufacturer specifications.

A minimum flow through rate of 5 in/hr or a void percentage of no less than 10%.

Non-Woven Geotextile
Geotextile shall consist of needled non-woven polypropylene fibers and meet the following
properties:

Grab Tensile Strength (ASTM-D4632) 120 lbs

Mullen Burst Strength (ASTM-D3786) 225 psi
Flow Rate (ASTM-D4491) 95 gal/min/ft2
UV Resistance after 500 hrs (ASTM-D4355) 70%
Heat-set or heat-calendared fabrics are not permitted

Pipe
Distribution pipe within bed shall be continuously perforated and have a smooth interior with
a minimum inside diameter of 4-inches. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe shall meet
the specifications of AASHTO M252, Type S or AASHTO M294, Type S.

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Construction Guidelines
General Guidelines for all Porous Pavements
The construction guidelines for the installation of the subsurface
infiltration beds are applicable to all porous pavement systems.
Guidelines are also provided specifically for pervious concrete and
porous asphalt.

Areas for porous pavement systems shall be clearly marked before

any site work begins to avoid soil disturbance and compaction
during construction.

An on-site pre-construction conference is recommended in order to

inform the contractor and subcontractors of the special precautions
that are required when working around porous pavements. This
includes landscape crews, as the improper placement of mulch
onto the porous pavement could result in localized clogging.
During the pre-construction conference, the porous pavement
siting requirements should be reviewed to ensure that no adverse
impacts could occur to surrounding properties (basements, etc.).

Identify the sources of storm water point discharges that could

drain toward the pavement surface (roof leaders, etc.). Provide a SUBBASE EXCAVATION AND
CONSTRUCTION
bypass for these storm water sources during the placement and
curing period of the porous pavement.

Excavate porous pavement subsurface area to proposed depth. Where erosion of subgrade has
caused accumulation of fine materials and/or surface ponding, this material shall be removed
with light equipment and the underlying soils scarified to a minimum depth of 6 inches with a
York rake or equivalent and light tractor.

Existing subgrade shall NOT be compacted or subject to excessive construction equipment

prior to placement of geotextile and stone bed. If it is essential that equipment be used in the
excavated area, all equipment must be approved by the Engineer. Use of equipment with
narrow tracks or tires, rubber tires with large lugs, or high pressure tires will cause excessive
compaction and shall not be used.

Bring subgrade of stone infiltration bed to line, grade, and elevations indicated in the
Drawings. Fill and lightly regrade any areas damaged by erosion, ponding, or traffic
compaction before placing the stone. The bottom of the infiltration bed shall be at a level
grade.

Place geotextile and recharge bed aggregate immediately after approval of subgrade
preparation to prevent accumulation of debris or sediment. Prevent runoff and sediment from
entering the storage bed during the placement of the geotextile and aggregate bed.

Place geotextile in accordance with manufacturer’s standards and recommendations.

Adjacent strips of filter fabric shall overlap a minimum of 16 inches. Fabric shall be secured
at least 4 feet outside of bed. This edge strip should remain in place until all bare soils
contiguous to beds are stabilized and vegetated. As the site is fully stabilized, excess
geotextile can be cut back to the edge of the bed.
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 Install aggregate course in lifts of 6-8 inches. Compact each layer with equipment, keeping
equipment movement over storage bed subgrades to a minimum. Install aggregate to grades
indicated on the drawings.

After placement and appropriate curing of structural pavement surface (7 days for pervious
concrete and 48 hours minimum for porous asphalt hardening), test infiltration ability by
applying clean water at a rate of at least 5 gpm over surface. The water applied to the surface
should infiltrate without creating puddles or runoff.

Do not use the porous pavement area for equipment or materials storage; no soil shall be
deposited on porous pavement surfaces.

Guidelines for Installation of Pervious Concrete

Pervious concrete pavement shall be installed by certified contractors only.

A pre-paving conference with the contractor and engineer is recommended one week prior to
beginning placement of pervious concrete. It is recommended that the contractor have the
pervious concrete supplier, the foreman and the entire concrete crew that will form and place
the concrete in attendance at this meeting.

Once placed, the pervious concrete shall remain covered and undisturbed for seven (7) days.
The covering should be a waterproof polyethylene sheeting with a minimum thickness of 6
mil. This curing period is essential for adequate strength and durability.

The use of signage is encouraged during the seven day period to minimize the potential
damage to the curing concrete occurring from pedestrian traffic.

Guidelines for Installation of Porous Asphalt

Install and compact choker course aggregate evenly over surface of stone bed. Choker base
course shall be sufficient to allow for even placement of asphalt, but no thicker than 1-inch in
depth.

Appropriate vehicles with smooth, clean dump beds shall be used to transport the asphalt mix
to the site. Control cooling of asphalt by covering mix. Porous asphalt mix shall not be stored
for more than 90 minutes before placement.

The porous bituminous surface course shall be laid in one lift directly over the storage bed
and stone base course and compacted to a 2½-inch finished thickness.

Compaction of the surface course shall take place when the surface is cool enough to resist a
10-ton roller. One or two passes is all that is required for proper compaction. More rolling
could cause a reduction in the surface porosity and permeability, which is unacceptable

After rolling asphalt, no vehicular traffic is permitted on the surface until cooling and
hardening has taken place (minimum 48 hours).

The use of signage is encouraged during the seven day period to minimize the potential
damage to the curing concrete occurring from pedestrian traffic.

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Maintenance
As with most storm water management facilities, porous pavement systems require regular
maintenance to extend their life. The following table displays maintenance recommendations for
porous pavement systems.

Table 4.2.6 : Porous Pavement Maintenance

Activity Schedule
Mow grass in paver or grid system that has been planted
As needed
with grass.
Vacuum porous asphalt or concrete surface with Twice per year is recommended
commercial cleaning unit (pavement washing systems with minimum of once per year
and compressed units are not recommended). after last snowfall or by April
30th
Maintain records of all inspections and maintenance
Ongoing
activity.

Sediment Control
Superficial dirt does not necessarily clog the voids in porous surfaces. However, dirt that is
ground in repeatedly by tires can lead to clogging. Therefore, trucks or other heavy vehicles
should be prevented from tracking or spilling dirt onto the pavement. Furthermore, all
construction or hazardous materials carriers should be prohibited from entering a porous
pavement lot. Also, by providing a ‘rumble strip’ surface at the entrance of a porous parking lot,
the debris from tires can be isolated and later collected to avoid potential clogging of the entire
lot.

Winter Maintenance
Winter maintenance for a porous parking lot may be necessary, but is usually less intensive than
that required for a standard asphalt lot. By its very nature, a porous pavement system with
subsurface aggregate bed has better snow and ice melting characteristics than standard pavement.
Once snow and ice melt, they flow through the porous pavement rather than refreezing.
Therefore, ice and light snow accumulation are generally not as problematic. However, snow will
accumulate during heavier storms. Abrasives such as sand or cinders shall not be applied on or
adjacent to the porous pavement. Snow plowing is acceptable, provided it is done carefully (i.e.
by setting the blade about one inch higher than usual). Salt is not recommended for use as a
deicer on the porous pavement. Non-toxic, organic deicers applied either as blended, magnesium
chloride-based liquid products or as pretreated salt, are preferable. Any deicing materials should
be used in moderation.

Repairs
Potholes are not common; though settling might occur if a soft spot in the subgrade is not
removed during construction. Damaged areas that are smaller than 50 square feet can be patched
with a porous or standard asphalt mix, depending on the location within the porous area. In many
cases the loss of porous surface will be insignificant. If an area greater than 50 square feet is in
need of repair, approval of patch type must be sought from either the engineer or owner. Porous
pavement must never be seal coated under any circumstances. Any required repair of drainage
structures should be done promptly to ensure continued proper functioning of the system.

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Note:
Design of permeable pavement systems are not limited to the examples shown within this text.
Successful storm water management plans will combine appropriate materials and designs
specific to each site.

4.2.1 Permeable Pavement Designer/Reviewer Checklist

Type of pervious pavement(s) proposed: ______________________________________

Source of mix design or material source: ______________________________________

Item Yes No N/A Notes

Appropriate application of
pervious pavement (e.g., use,
traffic loading, slopes)?
Infiltration rates measured?
Soil permeability acceptable?
If not, appropriate underdrain
provided?
Adequate separations from wells,
structures, etc.?
Natural, uncompacted soils
specified for base?
Level infiltration area (bed
bottom)?
Excavation in pervious pavement
areas
Hotspots/pretreatment considered?
Storage depth limited to 8-36”?
Drawdown time less than 72
hours?
Positive overflow from system?
Erosion and Sedimentation
control?
Feasible construction process and
sequence?
Geotextile specified?
Clean, washed, open-graded
aggregate specified?
Properly designed/specified
pervious pavement surface?
Maintenance accounted for and
plan provided?
Signage provided to prevent
construction traffic and
compaction?

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 Green Infrastructure Checklist

Permeable Pavements:
Site requirements for use:
o High water table depth to bottom of stone storage layer must be 4’ or greater. (This is to
prevent high water table from filling up detention storage area in stone.)
o If buildings adjacent to pavement have basements, make sure that the porous pavement is
a minimum of 10’ from the building/basement. Also, depending on soil type, a
waterproof membrane may be needed on the side adjacent to the building. This should be
evaluated on a case by case basis.
o If adjacent buildings don’t have basements, the porous pavement should be located a
minimum of 5’ from the building.

Design Considerations:
o Slope of porous pavement can be flatter than traditional pavement. This helps the stone
bed below it to be most efficiently used for stormwater storage. Some slope is
recommended to allow for positive drainage if pavement clogs in some areas.
o Size detention basin (stone base below pavement) based on stormwater flow entering
pavement. For #8 washed stone base, the void area in the stone is typically 40% of the
stone volume. The stone must be wrapped in geotextile to ensure that voids in stone
remain open for water storage and don’t get clogged over time. The contractor can
provide a sample of the stone to verify the void space for the stone used if needed.
o No storage of stormwater on top of the pavement (as is allowed with traditional
pavement).
o No storage of stormwater within porous pavement section. The design must include a
positive overflow from the stone bed to prevent water backing up into pavement section.
(This is to prevent issues with freeze-thaw.) This could be an underdrain pipe or simply
the stone base exposed so it can overflow to the lawn.
o It is recommended to discharge the overflow from the pavement stone base into a rain
garden or bioretention area to improve water quality.
o If soils are adequate for infiltration there might not be runoff from the pavement (if all of
it infiltrates). In this case (which is likely rare, but possible) there is no water quality
volume or required treatment since there is no runoff.

Construction Considerations:
o Qualified contractors are a MUST. This means that their crew must have experience
placing the pavement, not just the foreman.
o When using Portland Cement Pervious Concrete (PCPC) the pavement must remain
covered for 7 days during the curing period. During this time it is critical that any
stormwater be diverted from the pavement – especially roof leaders that contribute point
discharges.
o Erosion control is a must - any sediment laden water shall not be allowed to flow onto the
porous pavement.
o No mulch or landscaping storage shall be allowed on the pavement as it could clog the
pores of the pavement and thereby reduce its ability to convey and store stormwater.
o The pavement should be tested after construction by pouring water over it to see if there
are any areas that need to be cleaned or repaired due to construction activities.

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 4.2.2 Permeable Pavement Maintenance Inspection Checklist
Permeable Pavement - O & M Manual
Address of Property
BMP Narrative:
Regular inspection and maintenance is critical to the effective use of porous pavement. It is the
responsibility of the property owner to maintain all storm water facilities in accordance with the
minimum design standards required by the City of Fort Wayne and this Operations &
Maintenance Manual. The local jurisdiction has the authority to impose additional maintenance
required where deemed necessary. The city has the right to inspect the system and to require
replacement if it fails or is a threat to public safety. Portland Cement Pervious Concrete
Pavement (PCPC) is considered to be failing if water can be seen standing on it or in it (within
the concrete pavement section), unless the storm event is above a 100-year event. If maintenance
does not correct the problem, full or partial replacement may be required.
Porous pavement shall be in accordance with the following inspection and maintenance criteria:

Suggested
Inspection Activities
Frequency
• Inspect to ensure that pavement was installed and working properly. Post-construction
• Inspect areas for potential erosion or damage to vegetation.

• Visibly inspect porous pavement surface after major storm event for Annually and after
evidence of sediment, debris (e.g., mulch, leaves, trash, etc.), ponding large storm events
of water, oil-dripping accumulations, clogging of pores and other
damage.
• Inspect overflow devices (pipes and inlets) for obstructions or debris
that would prevent proper drainage when filtration capacity is
exceeded.
• Ensure that the contributing area upstream of the porous pavement is
free of sediment and debris.
• Verify that the porous pavement dewaters between storms. Monthly
• Inspect the surface for structural integrity. Inspect for evidence of Annually
deterioration or spalling.
Suggested
Maintenance Activities
Frequency
• Remove excess sediment from construction area and stabilize Post-construction
adjacent areas with vegetation.
• Prevent soil from being washed onto pavement by ensuring that Annually, as needed
adjacent areas are stabilized. Keep landscape areas well maintained
with lawn clippings removed to prevent clogging pavement.
• Rake and remove fallen leaves and debris from deciduous trees and
shrubs to reduce the risk of clogging.
• Remove debris and clear obstructions from overflow devices (pipes
and inlets).
• Vacuum sweep porous concrete pavement (with proper disposal of 2-3 times per year
removed material), followed by high pressure hosing (when needed)
to free pores on the surface.
• If ponding persists, clogged concrete pavement must be repaired or If failure exists

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 replaced.
Address of property
Inspector:
Date:
Time:
Weather: Rainfall over previous 2-3 days?

Site conditions:

Owner change since last inspection?: Y N

Mark items in the table below using the following key:

X Needs immediate attention
– Not Applicable
Okay
? Clarification Required
Porous Pavement Components:
Items Inspected Checked Maintenance Inspection
Needed Frequency
PAVEMENT SURFACE Y N Y N M
1. Signs of clogging (e.g. standing water)?
2. Debris (mulch, trash) accumulation?
3. Sediment accumulation?
4. Standing water present?
ADJACENT AREAS A, AMS
5. Erosion from underdrain?
6. Exposed soil in areas discharging or
adjacent to the porous pavement area?
7. Is porous pavement adversely affected
by any adjacent site feature?
DEWATERING A, AMS
8. Does runoff discharge from pavement
area 24 to 48 hours after the end of a
storm event?
OUTLETS/OVERFLOW SPILLWAY A, AMS
9. Is outlet for storm sewer system free
from debris and in good working order?
OTHER A
10. Have there been complaints from
residents?
11. Public hazards noted?
12. Other (describe)?
Inspection Frequency Key A= Annual, M= Monthly, AMS= After Major Storm

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COMMENTS:

OVERALL CONDITION OF FACILITY:

In accordance with approved design plans? Y / N

In accordance with As Built plans? Y/N

Maintenance required as detailed above? Y / N

Compliance with other consent conditions? Y / N

Comments:

Dates by which maintenance must be completed: / /

Dates by which outstanding information as per consent conditions is required by: / /

Inspector’s signature:

Consent Holder/Engineer/Agent’s signature:

Consent Holder/Engineer/Agent’s name printed:

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