Porous Asphalt Paving - Cost and Environmental Benefits

Porous asphalt pavement can be a valuable tool for business developers, municipalities and even homeowners who are interested in storm water management. Porous asphalt pavement is an environmentally-conscious and sustainable paving solution that can offer significant long-term cost savings.

Photo Credit: NAPA - HotMix.org

How Does Porous Asphalt Pavement Work?

Porous asphalt allows water to drain through the asphalt and into the stone bed below. It then works its way into the soil as nature intended. If toxins were on the surface, they are swept along with the rainfall through the stone bed. From there, they infiltrate into the sub-base so that they are subjected to the natural processes that cleanse water. The size and depth of the stone bed must be designed so that the water level never rises into the asphalt.

How Long Does Porous Asphalt Last?

Porous asphalt pavement can last up to twenty years before showing cracks or potholes. It is a very durable product and it retains the ability to handle rainwater for many years. Porous asphalt has been used successfully in parking lots, walkways and playgrounds, as well as high-volume highways that carry heavy trucks.

Porous asphalt tends to be a little coarser than your standard asphalt but is still smooth enough to meet the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements and it is still an attractive option to consider during the development process.

Porous Asphalt Can Save You Money and Fees

Along with the environmental benefits that porous asphalt brings, there are also cost benefits associated with this paving process. Some local governments charge developers storm-water impact fees when water run-off from parking lots overwhelms the storm sewer system. Because porous asphalt helps reduce demands on the storm sewers, these impact fees can be eliminated.

Another cost savings comes from eliminating the need to put in a storm-water management solution such as a retention pond. The land that is normally slated for the retention pond can be developed and used as a profitable asset that adds value to the property.

An added advantage for asphalt paving contractors is that it does not require proprietary ingredients to manufacture the asphalt. Most asphalt plants can easily prepare the mix and since installing it doesn't require additional paving equipment or specialized paving skills, general paving contractors can install it as they would other paving projects.

If you're considering repaving your parking lot or are developing a plan to make the most of your development property, consider porous asphalt. Let the paving professionals at Wolf Paving help you discover the cost benefits and environmental benefits that this asphalt paving solution can offer.

Wolf Paving, an asphalt manufacturer and asphalt paving contractor has been proudly serving the greater Milwaukee and Madison area since 1941.

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