Water Permeable Concrete

Hydromedia is an ideal solution for surface and stormwater management. This fast-draining concrete pavement channels runoff from streets, car parks, driveways and walkways into the ground, reducing ponding and flood risk.

With an engineered sub-base and interconnected void structure, Hydromedia promotes natural aquifer recharge or can be configured for on-site capture and reuse. By reducing reliance on conventional drainage, it can lower whole-of-life stormwater costs and maintenance for councils and developers.

Beyond effective water management, Hydromedia contributes to creating safer, more resilient urban environments. Its advanced porous composition allows rainfall to pass directly through the pavement, reducing surface runoff and the strain on traditional stormwater systems. This helps prevent flooding during heavy rain events and supports healthier ecosystems by replenishing groundwater and mitigating soil sealing. Hydromedia’s innovative design demonstrates how performance and sustainability can work together.

Hydromedia permeable concrete rapidly absorbs rainwater from streets, parking surfaces, driveways, and walkways - thus reducing the risk of flooding.

Applications

Carparks (light traffic - maximum load 3.5mt) and parking areas
Sport and recreation facilities including swimming pool decks, cycleways and pathways
Driveways and alleyways
Pavement edge drains and gutters
Can be used as a structural underlay

Key Benefits

Hydraulic Performance

High permeability & rapid infiltration
Hydromedia is Holcim’s permeable concrete for surface and stormwater management. Its interconnected void structure (typically 15–35%) enables fast drainage to reduce ponding and flood risk.

High flow capacity
Typically achieves ~150–1,000 L/min/m² (commonly ≥500 L/min/m² with appropriate design) to manage intense rainfall.^[1]

Integrated reservoir action
Sub-base can temporarily store rainwater to attenuate peak flows, enable on-site reuse, or redirect to the network.

Supports WSUD/SuDS strategies
Can reduce or eliminate the need for retention ponds and slopes for overland flow, freeing site area.

Design, Cost and Maintenance

Space-efficient land development:
Potential site area savings by integrating drainage into the pavement system, additional drainage may be required where supporting soil is impermeable.

Lower whole-of-life costs:
As part of a WSUD/SuDS design^[2], can reduce stormwater infrastructure and maintenance needs.

Aesthetic options:
Available with integral colour for decorative and functional hard-landscaping.

Less infrastructure:
May decrease size of stormwater pipes required.

Environmental Benefits

Protects the urban water cycle:
Minimises runoff, helps recharge aquifers, and combats soil sealing/impermeability.

Pollution mitigation:
Reduces transport of surface pollutants into waterways.

Urban heat relief:
Open-void surface helps reduce heat-island effects and supports rainwater recycling.

Safety and User Experience

Drier, safer surfaces:
Minimal standing water lowers hydroplaning risk; high-friction surface supports safe use in wet conditions and is suitable for light-vehicle traffic where specified.

Reduced glare:
Less reflective than wet, impervious pavements.

Chacteristics

Compressive strength: 10-15 MPa
Voidage from 15-35% depending on type and placing technique
Unit weight is typically 70% of conventional concrete
Workable up to 90 minutes
Flexural tensile strength (modulus of rupture): 1.5-3.0 MPa

Hydromedia brings nature into cities and helps cool urban spaces. In Aubervilliers, France, Holcim’s permeable concrete enabled Fieldwork Architecture to create a green public space where trees thrive through natural rainwater infiltration.

Technical Support

Contact Holcim for expert advice on selecting and using Hydromedia concrete.

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[1] Performance depends on mix design, sub-base/reservoir design, underlying soils, installation quality and maintenance; figures are indicative.

[2] WSUD = Water Sensitive Urban Design, SuDS = Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems.

HYDROMEDIA IN ACTION WORLDWIDE

Building an urban forest in France

Hydromedia helped transform this urban area in Aubervilliers, France, creating a new, enjoyable space for residents by collecting and preserving rainwater, supporting the natural water cycle to sustain the trees in this urban forest.

Find out more

Building with Water in Mind

Living Tomorrow’s “House of the Future” campus opened its new, sustainable Innovation Campus in Belgium, which has Holcim’s ECOPact® concrete and Hydromedia water-permeable concrete at its core.

Find out more