| *Risk of Soil Contamination: Available evidence from monitoring studies indicates that small distributed stormwater infiltration practices do not contaminate underlying soils, even after more than 10 years of operation (TRCA, 2008). | | *Risk of Soil Contamination: Available evidence from monitoring studies indicates that small distributed stormwater infiltration practices do not contaminate underlying soils, even after more than 10 years of operation (TRCA, 2008). |
| *Winter Operation: For cold climates, well-designed mixes can meet strength, permeability, and freeze-thaw resistance requirements. In addition, experience suggests that snow melts faster on a porous surface because of rapid drainage below the snow surface. Also, a well draining surface will reduce the occurrence of black ice or frozen puddles (Cahill Associates, 1993; Roseen, 2007). Systems installed in the Greater Toronto Area have generally not suffered from heaving or slumping (TRCA, 2008b). Permeable pavement is typically designed to drain within 48 hours. If freezing should occur before the pavement structure has drained, then the large void spaces in the open graded aggregate base creates a capillary barrier to freeze-thaw. Permeable pavers have the added benefit of having enough flexibility to handle minor heaving without being damaged. Permeable pavement can be plowed, although raising the blade height 25 mm may be helpful to avoid catching pavers or scraping the rough surface of the porous pavement. Sand should not be applied for winter traction on permeable pavement as this can quickly clog the system. | | *Winter Operation: For cold climates, well-designed mixes can meet strength, permeability, and freeze-thaw resistance requirements. In addition, experience suggests that snow melts faster on a porous surface because of rapid drainage below the snow surface. Also, a well draining surface will reduce the occurrence of black ice or frozen puddles (Cahill Associates, 1993; Roseen, 2007). Systems installed in the Greater Toronto Area have generally not suffered from heaving or slumping (TRCA, 2008b). Permeable pavement is typically designed to drain within 48 hours. If freezing should occur before the pavement structure has drained, then the large void spaces in the open graded aggregate base creates a capillary barrier to freeze-thaw. Permeable pavers have the added benefit of having enough flexibility to handle minor heaving without being damaged. Permeable pavement can be plowed, although raising the blade height 25 mm may be helpful to avoid catching pavers or scraping the rough surface of the porous pavement. Sand should not be applied for winter traction on permeable pavement as this can quickly clog the system. |
| + | *On Private Property: If permeable pavement systems are installed on private lots, property owners or managers will need to be educated on their routine maintenance needs, understand the long-term maintenance plan, and may be subject to a legally binding maintenance agreement. An incentive program such as a storm sewer user fee based on the area of impervious cover on a property that is directly connected to a storm sewer (i.e., does not first drain to a pervious area or LID practice) could be used to encourage property owners or managers to maintain existing practices. |