Embracing Pervious Concrete: A Sustainable Solution for Schenectady's Stormwater Management

What Is Pervious Concrete?

Pervious concrete, also referred to as permeable concrete, is a very special kind of concrete that has a much higher porosity rate than standard concrete. Standard concrete is created to prevent water from entering the concrete. Therefore, pervious concrete works like a screen (or sieve), and lets water enter the ground beneath it.

How Does It Work?

It’s the way the pervious concrete is made that makes it work so well:

• Much larger aggregate particle sizes
• Minimum amount of fine particles
• A specially designed water-to-cement ratio

All of these things contribute to a network of interconnecting voids in the pervious concrete, and therefore allow water to flow through while still giving the pervious concrete all the necessary structural strength.

Why Pervious Concrete Matters to Schenectady

• Stormwater Management: Like most cities, Schenectady has problems with stormwater runoff. Pervious concrete can help greatly reduce the amount of surface runoff and help alleviate the strain on the City of Schenectady’s storm sewer system.
• Recharging Ground Water: Pervious concrete will let water infiltrate into the ground, thus helping to recharge the City of Schenectady’s local groundwater supplies.
• Reduction in Pollution: Because the water goes through the pervious concrete and then through several layers of soil and rock, many pollutants are removed from the water before they reach the water table.
• Mitigating Urban Heat Islands: Because of the porous nature of pervious concrete, it reduces the surface temperature of a paved surface, thereby helping to lower the overall temperature of an urban area.

Some Applications for Pervious Concrete in Schenectady

There are many ways that pervious concrete can be used in Schenectady:

• Paved parking lots
• Paved sidewalks and walkways
• Residential driveways
• Plaza areas
• Low-traffic roads

Overcoming Some of the Challenges Associated with Pervious Concrete in Our Climate

While pervious concrete provides many advantages, there are some disadvantages when using pervious concrete in Schenectady’s climate:

• Freezing and Thawing Cycles: We design our pervious concrete mixes to be able to handle the freezing and thawing cycles associated with our cold winters, and incorporate air-entraining admixtures to improve the durability of our pervious concrete.
• Concerns About Clogging: Keeping the pervious concrete clean is a necessity, and regular maintenance, such as vacuum sweeping, will keep the surface of the pervious concrete from becoming clogged and losing its ability to let water pass through it.
• Snow Removal in Winter: When removing snow from the surfaces of pervious concrete, careful planning and attention to detail are required to avoid damaging the surface. We have information available about recommended practices for snow removal from pervious concrete.

Installation of Pervious Concrete

The installation of pervious concrete requires specialized knowledge:

• Assessment of Site Conditions: Evaluating the condition of the soil and determining if there are any water tables present.
• Preparation of Subgrade: Preparing the subgrade for the water to store and filter through.
• Designing Mix: Developing a mix of pervious concrete that will meet the requirements of our local climate and the specific needs of each individual project.
• Placement: Placing the pervious concrete properly to make sure the voids are correctly formed.
• Curing: Properly curing the pervious concrete to get the best possible strength and permeability.

Benefits to the Environment

Using pervious concrete to meet Schenectady’s sustainability goals:

• Reduced the number of retention ponds and other stormwater management facilities.
• Less chance of combined sewer overflows when there is a heavy rain event.
• Possible LEED credits for green building projects.
• Improved water quality in Schenectady’s local streams and rivers.

Cost Savings

While the initial price of pervious concrete is usually higher than standard concrete, many savings can be realized long term:

• Reduced costs for installing drainage systems.
• Lower stormwater management fees.
• Possible tax incentives for green infrastructure.
• More usable land space by eliminating the need for retention ponds.

Schenectady Concrete Works: Your Source for Pervious Concrete

As innovators in the field of concrete in the Capital District, we’re happy to provide pervious concrete solutions for our customers. Our employees have received specialized training to guarantee that our customers receive top-notch, long-lasting pervious concrete installations that meet their specific needs in Schenectady.

Are You Ready to Learn How Pervious Concrete Can Help Your Next Project?

From homeowners looking to reduce the amount of runoff from their driveway to business owners interested in providing a green parking lot for their employees, pervious concrete can be a great alternative to more environmentally friendly options.

Let us assist you in developing a greener Schenectady, one pervious surface at a time. If you would like to discuss using pervious concrete for your next project, contact Schenectady Concrete Works today to see how pervious concrete can save you money and improve your community.