Products / Techniques

Permeable Surfaces

The use of permeable surfaces as part of the SUDS treatment train is becoming an increasingly popular and architecturally attractive means of enabling source control of surface water along areas of hard-standing that would otherwise offer increased impermeable surfaces.

Since 2008, stricter planning requirements have also prohibited householders from converting their front gardens into impermeable driveways.

Structures such as permeable pavements, driveways or larger areas such as car parks or playground offer an opportunity for infiltration and some element of pollution control.

Techniques for the design and construction of permeable surfaces include using porous surfaces e.g. gravelled areas or porous asphalt or concrete. Alternatively proprietary manufactured products made of impervious building materials are interspersed with voids to allow the rainwater to drain below.

Often permeable pavements are combined with underground storage or infiltration as part of a SUDS treatment train. For example, the porous surface is bedded on a set depth of gravel to enable infiltration into the ground and capture silts and pollutants.