There are different types of permeable pavers.  Some styles are true interlocking concrete pavers that have large joints between them. Others allow for grass to grow in the voids. Regardless of type, there’s usually a layer of coarse stone under the pavers that retains the water and allows for slow discharge of water into the soil.

Rain Gardens - Similar to permeable paving, the function of a rain garden is to filter and release water back into the soil instead of allowing it to run-off. Rain Gardens can be installed where parking lots drain, or as more typically seen in residential uses, where gutters/downspouts drain. They can also be installed in swales and other areas that see large amounts of water flow during rainy periods. Rain gardens are typically constructed with a sub-surface area filled with coarse stone for water retention, and a surface that has plants that can withstand periods of high moisture. The surface usually has decorative boulders, rocks, and gravel that prevent erosion.

Dry Stream Beds - Essentially a Rain Garden in a swale, this is a decorative way to prevent erosion in an area that sees a periodic flow of water. Dry stream beds are created with rocks/boulders/gravel and plants that can handle periods of high moisture. The stream bed should slow down any flow of water allowing as much water as possible to return to the ground versus just letting it flow off.

Site Grading - Grading to allow for natural flow of water away from structures while encouraging water absorption versus runoff.

Downspout Water Retention - OK, let’s say you don’t want to build a Rain Garden, and you don’t want to collect your gutter/downspout water. You just want the water to return to the earth naturally without running off.  In these situations, your gutter/downspout water can be run away from your house in a buried pipe, which then empties into a pit of coarse stone or a small retention tank. This will allow for the natural retention and infiltration of water back into the ground.  The pit or retention tank would have an overflow to allow for periods of extremely rapid rainfall.

Downspout Water Collection - As you can see from the above items, we can make the water return to the earth in an environmental way, but let’s say you want to collect water from gutters/downspouts to use as a source of water for your garden. Hence the modern day rain barrel. Want to have a water feature that utilizes rainwater collection? Aquascapes Inc. has come up with a water feature that uses rainwater as the source, and if there is excess water, returns the water into the ground. Called the RainXchange, it incorporates creative thinking, water conservation, and beauty!  Check out  http://www.aquascapes.com/store.asp?department=75&SearchIt=

Native Plants - Plants that are originally from here can handle the dry summers we often encounter. They also handle the native soils. So reduce your need for watering, fertilizing, and applying pesticides to your landscape by choosing native plants that will adapt better!