Additional considerations for permeable pavement

Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

All permeable pavements are ADA compliant. PICP is compliant if designs are used with joints less than ½ inch wide.

Groundwater Protection and Underground Injection Control Permits

The Safe Drinking Water Act regulates the infiltration of stormwater in certain situations pursuant to the Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program, which is administered either by the US EPA or a delegated state groundwater protection agency. The US EPA (USEPA 2008) determined that permeable pavement installations are not classified as Class V injection wells since they are always wider than they are deep. There may be an exception in karst terrain if the discharge from permeable pavement is directed to an improved sinkhole, although this would be uncommon.

Air and Runoff Temperature

Permeable pavement appears to have some value in reducing summer runoff temperatures which can be important in watersheds with sensitive cold-water fish populations. The temperature reduction effect is greatest when runoff is infiltrated into reservoir layer when underdrains are used. All permeable pavements exhibit cooler summer temperatures than their impervious counterparts. This is likely due to a higher specific heat of permeable pavements.

Sustainable Rating Systems

All permeable pavements support sustainable rating systems such as LEED and others plus sustainable transportation rating systems such as those published by the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (Envision), Federal Highway Administration (INVEST), and the University of Washington (Greenroads).