Permeable concrete block paving
What is permeable paving?
Permeable paving is paving that almost immediately absorbs any rain and stormwater that falls on it and lets it through to the underground water system as would be naturally.
Permeable paving, although not a new idea has not caught on in South Africa as a viable alternative to conventional paving like asphalt and concrete block paving yet.
Why permeable paving?
Because it is cheaper than ordinary paving plus a stormwater collection and piping system and have the following added advantages:
- No need to provide for stormwater - no underground pipes, no channels, no collection chambers, grids, kerb inlets, kerbs, no connection to local systems, no doing away into waterways, no design and no permissions;
- Rain water is returned to the undergroud i.e. the ground water is replenished as opposed to prescious fresh water being routed to streams and rivers and down to the sea;
- With permeable paving the water is filtered directly upon penetrating the paving in stead of it collecting dirt and pollutants off surfaces along the way and depositing it into waterways;
- Water may be re-harvested straight away if the paving and substructure is so designed that the absorbed water is collected and pumped out for use in surrounding lanscaping areas.
The proof is in the eating ...
Permeable paving has been in use in Germany and the EU, the UK, Australia, the USA and others for over 20 years. Its economy there is well proven and permeable paving, depending on the application, is being specified by local authorities.
Further information:
www.paving.org.uk/permeable.php for comprehensive information, downloadable design guidelines etc.
www.sept.org for the lastest technical know-how, technical papers etc.
Vanstone's Offer:
By far the best performer for both absorbing ability and load bearing capacity is interlocking type concrete block pavers that are specially designed to have openings to let the water through. Many concepts and shapes are available overseas but not yet in South Africa.
Vanstone believes in permeable paving and are keen be amongst local producers of such blocks as early as possible. Without the local market having jumped into action yet it is not possible to predict the most appropriate type and shape of block for South Africa. The type and shape is determined by the press mould used to manufacture it. To import an expensive press mould from say Germany would not be prudent at this stage.
It is however possible to work together with design engineers and provide estimates based on mould cost and quantities. If the size of the project warrants it, we would also be prepared to commit ourselves to price and performance.
In the near future the cost of permeable concrete block pavers would converge with that of convensional block pavers as basic raw materials and labour content is the same.
Please contact our engineer, Piet van Heerden for further discussion.