Urban Breakthrough: Pervious Concrete

Normally, when rain water lands on concrete, it pools or runs downhill until it reaches a storm drain that then pipes the water far away from the site of the initial downpour. This has a negative impact on the local groundwater, since rain is the primary way that groundwater stocks are replenished. A new concrete called pervious concrete that allows water to drain right through it, eliminating the need for drains. How will this change cities?

In the video below, watch as 1500 gallons of water is is drained right through the concrete.

NPR’s Science Friday has more.

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