The 2,000m2 car park will be constructed using EcoGraniteTM Aquasett®. This market-leading sustainable paving system incorporates a permeable paver, EcoGranite, which has strong environmental credentials, being manufactured from up to 77% recycled content, and the company’s patented Aquaflow® water management system. The remaining 2,500m2 will comprise of EcoGranite ChartresTM, which will create the pedestrian zones and hard landscaping areas.
In addition to discharge restrictions on site, pollution control was also a key factor for Severn Trent, civil and structural engineers, Arup, and landscape architects, Capita Symonds, when specifying the paving and SUDs solution. Aquaflow’s unrivalled ability to produce clean, pH neutral water for discharge, as well as attenuated water, met all the stringent project requirements.
Commenting on the use of permeable paving at the new offices, Severn Trent’s Tony Wray said: “As one of the UK’s largest water suppliers we are dedicated to the provision of reliable, high quality drinking water. Coupled with this is our commitment to sustainability and safe, sustainable drainage. Permeable paving systems such as Aquaflow are helping us achieve this. By implementing the Aquaflow system we can ensure that all water discharged from this office is pH neutral; helping us lead by example.”
The Aquaflow system also removes oils, hydrocarbons and heavy metals, making it a specified surfacing solution for car parking zones and vehicular areas. As part of Hanson Formpave’s R&D programme, research undertaken at Coventry University on microbial growth has shown that the system is capable of degrading at least 400g of oil per m2 per annum.
Hanson Formpave’s head of design, John Lloyd worked in partnership with Arup, Capita Symonds and main contractors BAM, to produce a SUDS system design. John commented, “Being asked to save and clean water for a water company is the ultimate accolade. In designing and supplying our most ‘green’ paving solution we can support Severn Trent in their aim to achieve an ‘excellent’ BREEAM rating for the building.”
Serving over eight million customers, from Bristol Channel to the Humber and from mid-Wales to the East Midlands, the new Severn Trent offices are due for completion in February 2012.
Keyline, a member of Hanson Formpave’s approved distribution network, will be supplying the permeable paving through its Kingswinford branch. (www.keyline.co.uk) Hanson Formpave is a leading UK manufacturer and supplier of SUDS and water harvesting systems using specialist concrete paving.
How will it work?
The Aquaflow permeable paving system will work to reduce both surface water and runoff whilst discharging clean, non-potable water. Infiltration down into a sub-base combined with microbial action and filtration will clean the water to a pH neutral level. The water will then be attenuated and released back into the watercourse in a controlled manner, up to five hours after the peak of heavy rainfall.