Something to be thankful for: Monterey County renews Water Conservation Rebates

With funding from California American Water and the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District, water conservation rebates are back! These rebates include more efficient toilets and water heaters, but they also include landscaping rebates. If you are planning to take out an area of grass, contact this group first! They need to evaluate the site before you take out the turf.

Once you go through an application process, you can qualify for up to $1.00 off your new landscaping. This rebate is good for areas replaced with drought resistant plants or permeable pavement. Join the two types together to create your dream backyard. There are even additional rebates if you use Smart Irrigation Systems, new sprinkler heads, and rain water holding tanks! Contact us if you're looking for a contractor in your area!

Take a look at this website for more info about the rebates: http://www.montereywaterinfo.org/rebatesNEW.html

Santa Clara University in the rain

It has been about 2 years since Hydro-Flo Technology pavers were installed on the Santa Clara University Campus. They are one of the first groups that saw the benefits of using Hydro-Flo Technology. During the downpour on Friday, we captured some images of the project that show how well Hydro-Flo Technology continues to work.

 

This picture goes to show how sometime the pavers can function more effectively than a natural substance (disintegrated granite)!

Hydro-Flo Pavers and Permeable Concrete at the Gilroy Library

The bold colors of B4 Textured Estates create an excellent focal piece

Hydro-Flo Technology Pavers have now been installed at the Gilroy Library for months. In addition to beautifying the landscape, they were installed as a functional tool. Designed to take 3 inches of water per hour, Hydro-Flo pavers are proving themselves to be more slip-resistant and a better environmental alternative.


Hydro-Flo Pavers thrive where normal concrete fails

Take a look and see how puddling can occur on the surface of normal concrete. We've all seen and experienced this. Imagine not having to dodge puddles to get anywhere after a rainstorm! That makes Hydro-Flo an improvement even on natural surfaces!



Permeable concrete also helps keep water off surface

There are alternatives out there. For instance, the library also decided to use permeable concrete for the parking area. The regular concrete still had some puddling on it, while the permeable concrete does not. It has served that purpose very well.



Close-up of "permeable" concrete

I would like to address some of the differences between permeable concrete and Hydro-Flo Pavers. As you can see, "permeable" concrete depends on holes for its permeability. As such, the permeability can be reduced by dirt, leaves and debris collecting in the open spaces. This fault makes you choose between constant maintenance and a clogged system.

Bits of permeable concrete aggregate have broken off

Also, upon arriving, it was clear to me that the concrete was disintegrating. Because permeable concrete is more loosely held together with cement, some of the bits and pieces were breaking apart under the pressure from cars. Now in this application, Hydro-Flo Technology was not used in the parking area, so there is no direct comparison. However, all of Pacific Interlock Pavingstone's pavers (including Hydro-Flo) must meet ASTM and ICPI standards for strength and durability, even under freezing conditions!


In the above picture, there are four options of surfaces. One is the natural planting area. They can look great, and act as great places to keep water on-site. However, they cannot be driven on or walked on after rain (at least for those who don't want to be covered in mud!). Regular concrete is another option. It has proved its usefulness time and time again, though it just isn't permeable. It matches the old mindset of getting the water somewhere else as fast as possible. Permeable concrete has already been discussed, but can be a viable solution. The last option is Hydro-Flo Technology by Pacific Interlock Pavingstone. This offers the strength of concrete, with the permeability of "permeable" concrete, and it mimics a more natural infiltration system. It offers many other benefits as well, but the one I want to mention is the design possibilities! It can come in nearly any color and many shapes and sizes. This option is the icing to the cake for architects and designers. Not only do you have a functional product, but you do not have to sacrifice style to do it.

From Phoenix to Long Beach

Last week, Pacific Interlock Pavingstone was at the ASLA Show in Phoenix, and now we're gearing up for the 2012 Long Beach Landscape Expo.

According to the Landscapeonline.org website, this Landscape Expo "is the longest running landscape trade show and conference in the Southwestern United States dating back to 1960, has once again emerged as the premier landscape event in the region. In 2011, more than 3,500 industry professionals filled a twice-expanded, but still sold out, exhibit hall featuring 265 exhibitors in 557 booths. This year the 2012 Landscape Expo - Long Beach will be . . .The Largest Expo Yet . . . With 586 booths filling the 130,000 sq. ft. exhibit hall the 2012 Landscape Expo - Long Beach offers more booths and more exhibitors than ever before!"

We hope to see you there! Stop by our booth for a demonstration of Hydro-Flo Pavers, the only truly permeable concrete paver that is reimagining the possibility of paved surfaces.

ASLA Annual Meeting

Each year, the American Society of Landscape Architects holds its annual meeting. This year it will be in Phoenix, Arizona with the theme: "Beyond Boundaries: Design, Leadership, and Community." According to ASLA's website, more than 5,000 Landscape Professionals will be at this one location to view all the exciting new technologies and techniques that will keep their business on the forefront of innovation.

Pacific Interlock Pavingstone will be presenting Hydro-Flo Technology Pavers at the Expo on Saturday and Sunday (September 29 & 30). This technology can help us to re-imagine paving. We know that all the impervious surfaces we have created have brought great successes for mankind, but they are also creating some issues. Hydro-Flo Technology can begin to counter some of those negative elements.

By allowing water to pass through the Paving Stones, we are not only able to replenish the groundwater supply, but we are doing it in a way that mimics natural processes. Our recipie contains 48% recycled material, so we are doing our part to help reuse what resources we have available, without having to take more.

The safety benefits and environmental advantages can speak for themselves. Stop by our booth (#1053) to see a demonstration and to renew your imagination for what paving technology could be.

For more information about ASLA or the conference, follow this link: http://www.asla.org/2012meeting/index.html

For more information on Hydro-Flo Technology, follow this link:
www.hydro-flotechnology.com

Hydro-Flo Pavers Expand Use in Santa Barbara

One of the largest installations of Hydro-Flo Pavers is the ongoing project at different areas around the University of California-Santa Barbara campus. As a part of the overall project, Hydro-Flo was recognized as an influencial part in helping the rennovation to recieve a Gold "STARS" Award from the UC Environmental Rating system.

UCSB has been constantly installing the pavers in new areas, with the most recent project being in front of Carillo Dining Commons. Continuing to use the SB Tan color, this area incorporates a pattern of 6x12 and 6x6 Estate series Pavers.

 

 

 

The great thing now is that projects in the area have seen what Hydro-Flo Pavers have done on the UCSB campus and are now beginning to use these unique permeable pavers to serve other sites around the city of Santa Barbara. The IV Loop and Santa Ynez apartment complexes have chosen to do just that.

With the one decision to incorporate Hydro-Flo Pavers into their extensive plaza and walkways, these apartment complexes are committing to "green" their previously impervious walking surfaces. These pavers will impact the community for many years to come as they have the potential to return millions of gallons of water to aquifers over the course of their lifetime. In addition, there will be some hidden benefits as well, such as reducing the slip hazard present on hardscape surfaces.
The IV Loop Project even features our new 8x16 Pavillion Paver in our Grey/Charcoal Color. Keep your eyes open for More Hydro-Flo Projects on the way! You'll really have to watch closely, since you can hardly tell our standard pavers from Hydro-Flo!



Palo Alto High- Stadium Entrance

As the Palo Alto School District continues to update and restore their schools, they are making an extra effort not only to complete the task, but to use this opportunity to create something that the district can be proud of.

Entrance pathway with athletic fields in background.

The disctrict was looking for soemthing to make the entrance to the Viking's Home Turf memorable. The Pavers create a unique entry point that will look beautiful and will stand the test of time. The Estate 3 pcs Pattern, which contains three differently sized pavers (12"x12", 6"x12", and 6"x6") creates an elegant entryway lined with a pattern that interests the eye.

Project underway, even in the rain!

 

Obviously, the job is incomplete in these pictures, but it should be done relatively soon. Then the Paly High Vikings will have a complete stadium facility.