Which type of pavement allows water to infiltrate?

Which type of pavement allows water to infiltrate?

• A. Pervious pavement
• B. Impervious pavement
• C. Concrete pavement
• D. Gravel pavement

Answer: (A)

This question looks at how pavement design affects water entering the ground versus running off. Pervious pavement is designed with a permeable surface and an underlying voided base that lets water pass through into the soil beneath. This infiltration reduces surface runoff, helps recharge groundwater, and can filter some pollutants before water reaches groundwater. Examples include porous asphalt, pervious concrete, and permeable paver systems. Impervious pavement resists infiltration, so most rain becomes runoff that can contribute to flooding and issues in drainage systems. Concrete pavement is typically impervious as well, unless it’s a special porous concrete design. Gravel pavement does allow water to infiltrate between the stones, but it’s not usually considered a engineered stormwater solution in the same way as pervious pavements. So, the type that best fits the idea of allowing water to infiltrate is pervious pavement.

This question looks at how pavement design affects water entering the ground versus running off. Pervious pavement is designed with a permeable surface and an underlying voided base that lets water pass through into the soil beneath. This infiltration reduces surface runoff, helps recharge groundwater, and can filter some pollutants before water reaches groundwater. Examples include porous asphalt, pervious concrete, and permeable paver systems.

Impervious pavement resists infiltration, so most rain becomes runoff that can contribute to flooding and issues in drainage systems. Concrete pavement is typically impervious as well, unless it’s a special porous concrete design. Gravel pavement does allow water to infiltrate between the stones, but it’s not usually considered a engineered stormwater solution in the same way as pervious pavements.

So, the type that best fits the idea of allowing water to infiltrate is pervious pavement.