Water quality and quantity assessment of pervious pavements performance in experimental car park areas

• Published in: Water science and technology 2014-01, Vol.69 (7), p.1526-1533
• Main Authors: SANUDO-FONTANEDA, Luis A, CHARLESWORTH, Susanne M, CASTRO-FRESNO, Daniel, ANDRES-VALERI, Valerio C. A, RODRIGUEZ-HERNANDEZ, Jorge
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis methods; Applied sciences; Asphalt; Basic converters; Bays; Bivariate analysis; Concrete; Concrete blocks; Confidence intervals; Construction Materials - standards; Correlation analysis; Dissolved oxygen; Drainage systems; Drainage, Sanitary - standards; Electrical resistivity; Environmental monitoring; Exact sciences and technology; Hydrocarbons; Limestone; Natural water pollution; Parking facilities; Parking Facilities - standards; Parks; Parks & recreation areas; Pavements; Permeability; Petroleum hydrocarbons; Pollution; Polymers; Quality assessment; Rainwaters, run off water and others; Slag; Statistical analysis; Statistical methods; Suspended particulate matter; Total suspended solids; Turbidity; Urban drainage; Water monitoring; Water quality; Water Quality - standards; Water treatment and pollution
• ISSN: 0273-1223; 1996-9732
• DOI: 10.2166/wst.2014.056

Pervious pavements have become one of the most used sustainable urban drainage system (SUDS) techniques in car parks. This research paper presents the results of monitoring water quality from several experimental car park areas designed and constructed in Spain with bays made of interlocking concrete block pavement, porous asphalt, polymer-modified porous concrete and reinforced grass with plastic and concrete cells. Moreover, two different sub-base materials were used (limestone aggregates and basic oxygen furnace slag). This study therefore encompasses the majority of the materials used as permeable surfaces and sub-base layers all over the world. Effluent from the test bays was monitored for dissolved oxygen, pH, electric conductivity, total suspended solids, turbidity and total petroleum hydrocarbons in order to analyze the behaviour shown by each combination of surface and sub-base materials. In addition, permeability tests were undertaken in all car parks using the 'Laboratorio Caminos Santander' permeameter and the Cantabrian Portable Infiltrometer. All results are presented together with the influence of surface and sub-base materials on water quality indicators using bivariate correlation statistical analysis at a confidence level of 95%. The polymer-modified porous concrete surface course in combination with limestone aggregate sub-base presented the best performance.