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.

The Belfountain Conservation Area permeable parking site was the oldest site visited as part of this study.  It was constructed in 1990 and continues to have excellent structural 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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