NRMCA Helps Virginia Review Pervious Concrete Specification

In light of recent changes to the stormwater regulations across the commonwealth, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is currently updating its Stormwater Design Specification No. 7: Permeable Pavement. To assure that it has the most up-to-date and accurate information, the DEQ has reached out to representatives from the industry, including the Virginia Ready-Mixed Concrete Association (VRMCA), to review and comment on the specification. At the request of Hessam Nabavi, VRMCA’s industry services director for Northern Virginia, NRMCA Senior National Resources Director Phil Kresge also reviewed the specification and provided input.

"Overall, it’s a good specification. The DEQ has done its best to provide a generic specification for permeable pavement that includes pervious concrete, porous asphalt and interlocking permeable concrete pavers," Kresge said. "However, when you paint with a wide brush, you leave broad stroke marks. While all permeable pavements have many similarities, there are certain design specifics that differ from one to the next."

In his review, Kresge provided clarification on several points with regard to design, construction and maintenance. "DEQ is to be applauded for relying on the expertise of the industry to develop a stormwater best management practice (BMP) that truly is the best," he said. "And the great relationship between DEQ and VRMCA has certainly been a benefit to all."