As part of a 3 year study evaluating the effectiveness of permeable pavement and bio-swales under southern Ontario climate conditions a number of older bioretention areas were surveyed to assess the effect that age may have on various aspects of the infiltration practice.  Soil quality was assessed to determine the extent to which road runoff contaminants build up in soils over time.

Jerrett’s Funeral Home in North York has permeable pavement parking spaces that were constructed in 1997.  After 10 years the site was in excellent condition. Though surface infiltration tests showed initially poor infiltration there was a large increase in the infiltration rate following simulated maintenance.

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