Pervious surfaces are defined in the Le Sueur County Zoning Ordinance as: "Allows percolation or infiltration of stormwater through the surface into the soil below where the water is naturally filtered and pollutants are removed. Examples of pervious surface include: permeable pavers, pervious concrete, porous asphalt, and naturally porous materials that allow air and water to move through it."
The design and construction of pervious surfaces on each property will vary and be appropriate for different design situations. Different design situations will include the type of project that is chosen and the physical features of a property such as soil type and slope. Pervious surfaces must have enough depth to infiltrate water and pollutants as well as withstand the weight of foot traffic, vehicles, etc. Most, if not all pervious surface materials, will have technical specifications and standards that landowners and contractors should follow for installation.
With pervious surface materials, operation and maintenance are extremely critical! Without operation and maintenance your project will not function property and the surface will become impervious over time. Most, if not all pervious surface materials, will have an operation and maintenance plan that landowners and contractors should follow for installation.
If your product does not have technical specifications/standards and an operation and maintenance plan, additional information as well as an infiltration test must be provided prior to installation of your pervious surface.