Pervious concrete is made from carefully controlled amounts of water and cementitious materials used to create a paste that forms a thick coating around aggregate particles. Unlike conventional concrete, the mixture contains little or no sand, creating a substantial void content – between 15% to 25%.

Using sufficient paste to coat and bind the aggregate particles together creates a system of highly permeable, interconnected voids which drain quickly.

Pervious concrete allows 3 to 8 gallons of water per minute to pass through each square foot of the material. By allowing rainwater to seep into the ground, pervious concrete can be instrumental in recharging groundwater and reducing stormwater runoff. This capability can reduce the need for retention ponds, swales, and other stormwater management devices. Pervious pavement integrates hardscape surfaces with stormwater management.

Applications for pervious concrete include:

Hardscape
Low-volume pavements
Residential roads, alleys, and driveways
Low-water crossings
Parking lots
Sidewalks and pathways
Patios
Tennis courts
Swimming pool decks
Pavement edge drains

Floors
Foundations/floors for greenhouses, fish hatcheries, aquatic amusement centers, and zoos

Walls
Load bearing and other walls
Sound barriers

Other
Subbase for conventional concrete pavement
Slope stabilization
Artificial reefs
Well linings
Hydraulic structures
Tree grates in sidewalks
Groins and seawalls