Will the City of Ithaca sign off on porous concrete? Another possibility would be to go the conventional non-porous concrete or asphalt route, but to integrate the "water garden" stormwater retention systems concept now catching on in cities elsewhere into the design. In brief, the stormwater from the walkway would be collected in shallow depressions in the areas between the sidewlk and street curb, which can be planted with a variety of plant materials or simply be left as lawn. The water then percolates into the ground instead of running into the storm sewer and out into a stream. These system may actually work well in the flats of Ithaca, as in many areas the soils are quite gravelly and well drained, and there are plenty of street trees that could benefit from the irrigation potential offered. Sorry, no time to provide links or other references, but there is information out there. George
_______________________________________________ For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: [email protected] http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org _______________________________________________ For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: [email protected] http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org
