Let It Flow: How Permeable Is Your Property?
Written by Kristina Meek
Remember learning about the water cycle in school? We’re privileged to live in a place where we have a front row seat to the whole cycle, from rivers and springs, to the Bay, Gulf, and ocean, along with some pretty dramatic precipitation. The Tampa Bay area averages 52” of rain per year. (There was 64” in 2024. I’m not even 64” tall!)
All that water has to make its way back to our aquifers, wetlands, and waterways, but humans put a lot of obstacles in its way. People need homes and roads and places to work, shop, and gather. The downside of that is, we end up with a lot of impermeable (or impervious) surfaces. When rain falls on rooftops or pavement, it can’t get through most of these surfaces, so it sits above ground for a long time. When it does finally make its way into the ground or a waterway, it takes pollutants with it, like fertilizers, chemicals, and trash.
When water cannot move or drain freely, we get floods. We have options, however, to limit the amount of impermeable surfaces around us. The more you opt for groundcover plants (we prefer natives), gardens, gravel, shells, or porous pavers, the more readily you let rainwater enter the ground. These choices play a role in making landscapes more hurricane-resistant. You may also have less need for special drainage features to keep water away from your home or vehicles.
These changes might even affect your utility bills. In some places, including the City of St. Petersburg, rates are based on the square footage of impervious surface area on your property. The City classifies single-family properties into tiers, based on this square footage, basing fees on the relative impact to the stormwater system.
Below are some actions you can take at home to increase your permeable surface area. We acknowledge that these choices each come with a price tag which may not be accessible to everyone. However, when you’re making plans to change or add to your hardscaping, or buying a new home, know that you have options.
Remove pavement you don’t need. Homes in this area often have large driveways, boatpads, and other other paved areas. Consider reclaiming this space for plants and wildlife, or avoid adding them if you don’t need them in the first place.
Choose more porous materials like decomposed granite, flagstone, or permeable pavers. Whether you’re redoing a driveway, installing a patio, or putting in a walkway, look for permeable choices. You can also leave gaps between pavers so water can reach the ground.
Pair pavement with a rain garden and rain harvesting tactics, like rain barrels. We get so much rain, why not make it work for you? A rain garden can collect excess water while giving life to all kinds of interesting plants. Collecting rain also provides a free source of water for your other plants and trees. If you’re worried about mosquitos, a simple mosquito dunk each month can help keep them in check.
UF IFAS has a great post where you can learn a little more about low-impact development, which includes increasing permeable surfaces. With some imagination, you can make improvements to your property that make a difference for the community and for nature.
By making thoughtful choices about how water moves through our own landscapes, we contribute to a healthier, more resilient environment for everyone. These individual actions are part of a larger story, one that connects our properties, our neighborhoods, and our waterways. At Take MAR, we’re committed to fostering that connection between our community and the natural world. We invite you to join us at one of our upcoming events to learn, connect, and help build a more sustainable future together.
