ICPI Represented at National Watershed & Stormwater Conference

ICPI staff provided two presentations on permeable interlocking concrete pavement (PICP) at the annual National Watershed & Stormwater Conference in St. Petersburg, Florida. Stormwater agency representatives, consultants, and suppliers from across the U.S. learned about University of Toronto research funded by the ICPI Foundation for Education & Research. Specifically, the research demonstrated as much as a 50% reduction in deicers on PICP compared to asphalt and another presentation was on evaluating cleaning equipment to restore infiltration of highly clogged (i.e., unmaintained) PICP. There was particular interest in cleaning technologies to remove accumulated sediment from neglected permeable, stone-filled joints between the pavers. The stone-filled joints were characterized as an essential component to reducing pollutants compared to other permeable systems pavement that allow sediment-filled stormwater runoff to enter vacant spaces between paving units. While claiming essentially no maintenance needed, runoff does directly enter and pass into the open-graded aggregate reservoir layer. In contrast, PICP’s stone-filled joints were characterized as an essential surface filter for capturing and providing a means for routinely removing sediment left by stormwater runoff rather than allowing it to enter the pavement’s reservoir, thereby accelerating sediment accumulation, reducing soil infiltration, and potentially increasing sedimented outflows. Attended by almost 200 people, the national conference was the second where ICPI staff provided presentations. The conference sponsor, The Center for Watershed Protection, has received continued support from ICPI over the past several years by enabling training on PICP design, construction, and maintenance.