Permeable concrete seen to address flooding in the streets

A new type of “concrete pavement” has been developed to address flooding such as those that hit Metro Manila's streets whenever strong rains pour.

Called Topmix Permeable, the material allows water to quickly drain away from the surface of the street.

The company behind it, Tarmac, claims that in addition to helping manage flooding, it also minimizes costs and reduces long-term maintenance needs.

In a demonstration, 40 L of water were drained in one minute.



With the amount of garbage in Metro Manila, won’t the material eventually be blocked?

According to the website, the amount of dirt needed to block the pavement and prevent it from working efficiently was “unrealistic.”

What happens to the water after it’s been drained away by the pavement?

Well, there’s an option to have the water recycled—in that scenario an impermeable layer between the ground and the pavement is installed.

Water can then be harvested and used for purposes other than drinking water.

In 2012, the government began work on a 22-year flood control project.

The project was led by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and costs P407.4 billion. —Bea Montenegro/NB, GMA News