Stormwater Management With Porphyry Pavers
Posted by Roger Murphy on Mon, Oct 17, 2011 @ 09:26 AM
Permeable Pavers:
Porphyry pavers can solve many storm water management concerns while retaining the unique stone character sought in landscape design. Earlier this year the American Society of Landscape Architects requested their members and other practitioners to submit case studies and information on landscape architecture projects that successfully and sustainably manage stormwater and preserve and protect the country’s water supply. These case studies will be provided to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) who has initiated a national rulemaking process to establish a new program to reduce stormwater discharges from new development and as well as redevelopment. During this process, the EPA is expected to evaluate green infrastructure design techniques that replicate natural water processes, including approaches that infiltrate and recharge, evapotranspire, and harvest and reuse precipitation, because of the strong need to reduce impervious surfaces in many communities. 
Just recently, ASLA was able to submit to the EPA over 450 green infrastructure projects and case studies that address stormwater management. These efforts will go a long way in demonstrating the effectiveness in utilizing landscape architecture techniques helping to manage our nations’ water quality issues. These studies show the EPA how green infrastructure design techniques are highly-effective and cost-efficient approaches to improve the quality of our water supply. An ASLA analysis of the case studies reveals that 47.3% of the projects utilized permeable pavers as part of their design approaches.
More than 300 ASLA members responded with 479 case studies from 43 states, the District of Columbia, and Canada
Details can be found at the link below:
http://dirt.asla.org/2011/09/26/asla-releases-more-than-475-stormwater-management-case-studies/
Many of the current issues are a result of the rapid conversion of land to urban and suburban areas that has profoundly altered how water flows during and following storm events, putting higher volumes of water and more pollutants into the nation’s rivers, lakes, and estuaries. These changes have degraded water quality and habitat in virtually every urban stream system.” There have been a number of recommendations, including conserving natural areas, reducing hard surface cover (e.g., roads, parking lots, impervious surfaces), and retrofitting urban areas with features that hold and treat stormwater.
Porphyry pavers with all of their inherent beauty, can be adapted to an permeable set. Drawings for these can be found at:
http://www.milestoneimports.com/installation/cad-details/
Porphyry's composition determines its high compression strength, resistance to stains, slip resistance, and high freeze/thaw ratings. The stone is the most popular paver in Europe, and is favored for its flexibility in design, beauty, durability and low maintenance requirements. ADA Compliant Porphyry pavers are also adaptable to a permeable paving set. The stone is by far one of the most durable pavers in the world. These materials are available from Milestone Imports. - www.milestoneimports.com
