Our thriving communities increase the number of buildings, roadways, and sidewalks – as well as concerns about stormwater management. The pressure is increasing for builders to choose low-impact development solutions, and many communities are implementing solutions that comply with Provision C.3 requirements.
An in-progress shot of a large driveway being installed in Carmel Valley. The owner of this ranch had been having trouble with water runoff and erosion, so he chose GraniteCrete to solve this issue.
What is Provision C.3?
Provision C.3 is a requirement for new building developments (and redevelopments) to meet stormwater design compliance requirements. Among others, requirements that must be met include:
- Minimize impermeability and reduce runoff
- Control runoff rates and durations, if required
- Provide for operation and maintenance of stormwater facilities
It also requires that, when possible, permeable surfaces should be used instead of traditional paving solutions so runoff can filter through to the underlying soil. Runoff can carry pollutants that reduce water quality and negatively affect the beneficial uses of our waters. Provision C.3 requirements seek to protect our water sources from these issues.
Getting Started
When planning new developments or redevelopments, a stormwater control plan must be created that illustrates how the project will implement stormwater controls into the project’s design and landscaping. The plan should also show the size and location of both permeable and impermeable surfaces, proposed stormwater facilities, and detailed information of how runoff will flow from the impermeable surfaces to the stormwater facilities.
It is recommended by Provision C.3 that to comply with these requirements, landscape architects look toward Low Impact Development (LID). LID is an approach that seeks to control stormwater at the source and mimic the development site’s natural hydrology; it encourages architects to implement designs that will capture stormwater runoff and use it for local landscape irrigation and groundwater recharge. This can be done in a variety of ways, including the use of rain gardens, native plants, and by installing permeable pavement.
A Natural Paving Solution
An excellent permeable pavement solution that is often overlooked is permanent decomposed granite that does not contain a resin or polymer base, such as GraniteCrete.
GraniteCrete meets Provision C.3 requirements as a stand-alone product. It is a permanent, permeable, and environmentally-friendly paving solution. It contains no polymers or resins, meaning it will not cause any unnatural substances to leach into the soil or groundwater over time. It also has the durability and near-strength of traditional paving materials like concrete.
Not only is it an ideal paving solution to meet Provision C.3 requirements but best of all, GraniteCrete contributes two LEED credits when it comes to stormwater design:
- Credit 6.1 – Stormwater Design – Quantity Control (1 point) GraniteCrete helps decrease the amount of stormwater runoff on a site
- Credit 6.2 – Stormwater Design – Quality Control (1 point) GraniteCrete helps reduce water pollution by increasing on-site filtration.