Saltwater Intrusion

Coastal cities are experiencing an underappreciated problem– saltwater intrusion (The Hill). With sea levels rising and groundwater receding, coastal communities are encountering another difficulty that makes living seaside even more challenging.

Typically rainwater and groundwater form a barrier to the ocean. The constant flow of water from the land to the sea keeps the salt in the sea. As coastal communities extract more freshwater from the ground this flow of water is reduced, tipping the balance in favor of salt water.

Salt water where it doesn’t belong creates a host of problems. It contaminates wells and ground water, it damages structures and foundations, and harms the environment.

In looking to tackle this situation we need to push more water through the ground and create better barriers to keep the sea at bay. Permeable pavement, including PaveDrain, can be a great solution as it encourages infiltration, channeling the water back into the ground, pushing back on the sea.