Pervious paver blocks allow stormwater to infiltrate between them to the ground below. Layers of rock beneath the pavers absorb rainfall into void spaces between angular-shaped stone, where it can slowly infiltrate into the soil. These systems provide a durable, attractive alternative to conventional impervious pavement while significantly reducing stormwater runoff.

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The Problem:
Traditional paved surfaces—concrete sidewalks, asphalt driveways, and conventional patios—are completely impervious. Every drop of rain that falls on them becomes runoff, carrying pollutants and contributing to downstream flooding and erosion. In developed landscapes, these surfaces often account for a significant portion of total impervious area.
The Solution:
Pervious paver blocks help reduce stormwater flooding in landscapes, city streets, and parking areas. Along with sidewalks, patios, and parking spaces, pervious block systems can be used in heavier vehicle traffic areas such as low-speed zones on city streets, large parking lots, and long driveways. They are more durable than grass or gravel pervious grid systems and can add aesthetic value to property infrastructure. Pervious paver systems are useful stormwater control measures for highly developed landscapes lacking open space for detention ponds and other drainage structures.
Location Requirements
Paver block systems can replace traditional impervious pavement on sidewalks, patios, parking spaces, and driveways in residential landscapes. They can also be used in larger parking lots and low-speed roadways in municipal and commercial settings. They may not be appropriate for certain high-volume and high-speed roadways. Paver blocks can be installed across an entire street width or parking area, or within a portion of a larger impervious area.
Design Specifications
Pavers are typically 3 inches thick and joint spaces are infilled with masonry sand (ASTM C-33 concrete sand or Georgia DOT Fine Aggregate Size No. 10). The pavers are placed on a crushed stone aggregate bedding layer and base layers of larger stone, which temporarily detain stormwater that has passed through the paver joints on the surface.

See the in Action

Permeable interlocking paver blocks consist of manufactured concrete units that leave small openings between joints. These joints are filled with permeable small-sized stone aggregates that allow water to pass through the surface and into stone reservoir layers beneath. During and after rain events, stormwater infiltrates the soil below the stone layers. Additional drain pipes in the rock layer can be used to channel stormwater to another infiltration area underground

Practice Type: Surface infiltration through permeable pavement joints

Applications: Sidewalks, patios, parking spaces, driveways, low-speed roadways

Subsurface Layers: 12 inches combined stone base and sub-base

Soil Requirement: Infiltration rate of at least 0.5 inches per hour

Slope Limit: 0.5% or less for proper infiltration

Maintenance

Task
Frequency
Details

Weed removal

During growing season

Pull weeds or apply herbicide spray to prevent root intrusion into joint material

Debris removal

Seasonally

Blow leaves and debris from pavers and nearby drainage areas to prevent organic matter clogging

Joint inspection

Annually

Check for broken pieces or empty/low spots in joint fill material; replace and refill as needed

Sediment removal

As needed

Remove sediment accumulation on pavers from nearby erosion sources; stabilize erosion sources with vegetation or mulch

Adjacent vegetation

Ongoing

Prevent landscaping plants from growing across pavers and accumulating debris

Permeability restoration

As needed

If joint permeability decreases, a walk-behind vacuum sweeper can restore function; refill joint material lost to vacuuming

Severe clogging

As needed

Dig out small sections of joint fill with narrow implements to paver depth; refill with new material