NEW JERSEY STORMWATER RULE MEANS $ ALES FOR PAVER INSTALLERS

Yes, another article on permeable interlocking concrete pavers (PICP) but due to recent events, it is critical to revisit this subject once again. When I first started promoting permeable pavers 20 years ago, one objection I heard was “no one around here accepts permeable pavements”. Over the past 20 years not only has that resistance broken down thanks to rigorous research by the paver industry, a new amendment by the state of New Jersey is potentially a game changer.

In March 2021 New Jersey amended its Stormwater Management rules (N.J.A.C. 7:8-5:3(b) to promote the use of green infrastructure (GI) for stormwater management. Permeable pavers are addressed in the New Jersey DEP Stormwater Best Management Practices (BMP) manual as a GI device.

Before we review the good business news for hardscape installers it would be instructive to review some terms and some highlights of this legislation. Green Infrastructure (GI) is described by the state as ‘a stormwater management measure that manages stormwater close to its source by: 1. Treating stormwater runoff through infiltration into subsoil; 2. Treating stormwater runoff through filtration by vegetation or soil; or 3. Storing stormwater runoff for reuse.’ “

The stormwater rules refer to “pervious” pavement systems which include permeable interlocking concrete pavers as per the BMP manual.

Permeable interlocking concrete pavers are paving blocks manufactured to the ASTM C-936 standard in a shape that allows #8 3/8” (with some exceptions as approved by the engineer) open graded aggregate to be accepted in the joints (also known as “voids”). The blocks sit on 2” of the same aggregate as a setting bed. Underneath is a 4” course of ¾” #57 clean stone, which sits on top of a minimum 6” #3-4 railroad ballast as per engineer’s specifications. The excavated and exposed soil is typically not compacted. Sand is not used and admittedly PICP is an atypical installation. The purpose of a sand set interlocking concrete pavement is to provide a wearing course for a walkway, patio, driveway, parking lot or street. A PICP serves all these functions, but as the GI definition states, prevents stormwater runoff and treats the stormwater by moving the water downward into the system.

While porous asphalt and pervious concrete are considered pervious pavements in New Jersey, PICP are precast at the jobsite and installed for immediate use regardless of most environmental and climate conditions. Many designers find them to be visually pleasing with many design options, and they provide multiple maintenance advantages versus alternatives.

A remarkable document has been produced by the state, MEETING THE GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE REQUIREMENT (N.J.A.C. 7:8-5.3) Fact Sheet. Some of the highlights:

by Daniel Moreland, Belgard

• Repeatedly mentions pervious pavements with diagrams and potential jobsite examples

• Asks three checkmark questions:

“1. Is the stormwater managed close to its source?”

Permeable interlocking concrete pavements are designed to not only handle rainwater directly distributed upon the wearing course, but as per New Jersey up to 3 times the square footage of any runoff surface flowing into the pavement. In other words, permeable pavements are designed to do what other adjacent surfaces cannot: accept stormwater runoff.

“2. Are the BMPs distributed throughout the site? “

While the screenshot for the fact sheet shows “permeable” asphalt as an example, obviously permeable pavers can be distributed at multiple areas on a jobsite.

3. Are the drainage area limitations met?”

As long as we follow the 3:1 rule in New Jersey, that combined with over 500” per hour proven infiltration rates the answer is obviously, yes.

-On pervious pavements, of which permeable pavers are a subset, The Fact Sheet states: “In addition to the water quality, quantity, and groundwater recharge benefits that pervious paving systems provide, they occupy little to no developable land area on the site, since they are incorporated directly into the proposed roadways, parking areas, and/ or sidewalks of the site. This, plus the ability to provide compliance for all of the requirements, makes pervious paving systems the ideal choice to comply with the rule requirements all in one system.”

That sounds like a ringing endorsement to me! However, as a hardscapes installer, it cannot be expected that all of us are stormwater experts. So how can my business benefit from this law?

1. Become an Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute (ICPI) PICP Specialist. When specifying PICP, designers often ask for contractors that have this designation. Visit icpi.org for more information on available classes.

2. If your company has experience installing PICP, add this to the marketing. Seems like everyone advertises they install pavers, but remember, not all pavers are permeable. As the demand for this product grows because of the new stormwater rule, an installer will want to distinguish itself if they have a command of this technology. Even better yet to market a ICPI PICP Specialist is on the payroll.

3. Don’t limit to permeable pavements. Even if a landscape company does not install hardscapes, the new rules promote bioretention systems as well as other solutions that fall under GI. Learn as much as possible as to what New Jersey considers Green Infrastructure so the company is prepared when a client is required to take advantage of one of these techniques.

It is my hope that your business continues strong for 2023, and remember the companies that educate themselves and embrace these new technologies will have the upper hand should business get more competitive. Belgard has a full time stormwater engineer on staff, and is prepared to partner with any local municipal official that might have questions about the efficacy of permeable interlocking concrete pavements!

Daniel Moreland, LEED GA, Construction Specifier Institute CDT and CCPR is Chairman for the Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute/ National Concrete Masonry Association (ICPINCMA*) Commercial Technical Promotion (CTP) Advisory Committee as well as a member of their Technical Sub-Committee and Certification Sub-Committee. As an ICPI-NCMA instructor, he has taught approximately fifty and maybe more certified paving and SRW contractor courses in six states including multiple courses at Hardscapes North America, the industry’s premier trade show. Dan has also hosted hundreds of AIA hardscapes CE courses across the Northeast U.S. and virtually across America over the past

15 years. He currently is a Belgard Architectural Representative consulting with top architectural and engineering firms in the New York City/New Jersey and Philadelphia markets on behalf of Oldcastle APG, Inc. a company he was worked at for over 20 years. He resides in Allentown, PA. *Now known as the Concrete Masonry and Hardscapes Association (CMHA).