Protecting Coastal Properties: How Beachmont’s Smart Paving Solutions Combat Rising Tides and Storm Surge

As coastal communities face unprecedented challenges from rising sea levels and intensifying storms, Beachmont residents are discovering that traditional paving solutions simply aren’t enough. The low-lying streets that border tidal marshes and end just hundreds of feet from the ocean regularly experience flooding during storms or exceptionally high tides, with residents’ lawns disappearing under several inches of water. This reality has sparked innovative approaches to coastal infrastructure, with permeable pavers and specialized drainage systems emerging as critical defense mechanisms against saltwater infiltration and storm surge.

The Growing Challenge of Coastal Flooding

The City of Revere recently received $72,192 in state funding to evaluate near-term emergency actions and long-term solutions to address flooding in the Beachmont neighborhood, highlighting the urgency of this issue. Pearl Avenue floods more regularly than surrounding streets due to its unique geography – forming a “T” intersection with Winthrop Parkway at the bottom of a bowl-like depression, with both streets sloping upward on either side.

Future projections account for sea level rise and storm surges associated with coastal storms including hurricanes and nor’easters, making proactive infrastructure solutions essential for property protection and community resilience.

How Permeable Pavers Provide Coastal Protection

Unlike traditional impervious surfaces that create rapid runoff, permeable pavers are installed with layers of varying-sized stone underneath that filter and direct stormwater to underground aquifers, mimicking how natural land absorbs water while containing gaps that allow stormwater runoff to drain more effectively.

For coastal areas like Beachmont, these systems offer multiple protective benefits:

• Saltwater Intrusion Prevention: By enabling rainwater to soak into the ground, permeable pavers support groundwater recharge, which is particularly important in coastal areas where rising sea levels can lead to saltwater intrusion into aquifers, helping maintain freshwater levels crucial for preventing saltwater contamination.
• Storm Surge Management: These systems mitigate flooding by allowing water to disperse more gradually into the soil rather than overwhelming drainage systems with rapid runoff.
• Erosion Control: Permeable pavers help stabilize ground by reducing surface runoff, contributing to erosion control along coastlines where high water levels and storm surges create significant challenges.

Specialized Drainage Systems for Tidal Zones

The engineered base layers beneath permeable pavers include multiple layers of permeable materials like crushed stone that allow water to pass through, acting as reservoirs that store excess water while allowing it to slowly percolate into the ground. In situations where natural infiltration isn’t sufficient for design storms, perforated drainage pipes can be inserted at specific levels in the base course to manage excess water during intense weather events.

These systems trap suspended solids while filtering pollutants from stormwater, providing environmental protection alongside flood mitigation. When polluted stormwater seeps through permeable pavement, contaminants are filtered out as water permeates through the pavement, gravel substrate, and soil layers.

Professional Installation and Local Expertise

Successful implementation of coastal paving solutions requires experienced professionals who understand both the technical requirements and local conditions. When searching for a qualified paving contractor beachmont residents should prioritize companies with proven expertise in coastal environments.

Academy Masonry stands as a reputable company serving the Boston community with 30 years of combined knowledge and experience, representing a local, family-owned business with deep community ties and unwavering dedication to delivering top-tier services. Their reputation in Boston, Middlesex County, and Suffolk County is built on years of satisfied customers, focusing on creating long-lasting relationships through honest communication, transparency, and commitment to exceeding expectations.

The company understands how New England weather affects different types of stone and mortar, choosing materials and techniques that work with the local climate rather than fighting it. This regional expertise proves invaluable when designing drainage solutions that must withstand freeze-thaw cycles that destroy masonry faster than most places, where water infiltration into small cracks, freezing, and expansion can turn minor issues into major structural problems.

Long-term Benefits and Property Protection

Residential permeable pavement systems provide the first step to recharging aquifers and filtering pollutants while lowering flood risk around homes during heavy storms and reducing ice buildup during winter. These installations help build sustainable landscapes that reduce erosion and eliminate standing water where mosquitos breed, while weighing down soil to offer erosion control that prevents debris from entering local water bodies.

Property owners benefit from increased home values, as permeable pavement, particularly interlocking pavers, can truly enhance property value. Additionally, some municipalities offer credits for the stormwater management functions provided by permeable pavement systems.

Planning for the Future

As Beachmont continues addressing coastal challenges, detailed benefit-cost analyses and robust community engagement processes will help identify priority actions to reduce immediate resident risk while developing conceptual planning for long-term solutions. The integration of permeable pavers and specialized drainage represents a proactive approach to infrastructure that protects both individual properties and the broader community against the mounting pressures of climate change.

For coastal property owners, investing in proper paving solutions today means safeguarding against tomorrow’s storms while contributing to the long-term resilience of their neighborhood and local environment.