Belgard permeable pavers qualify projects for EPA grants Words: David Benincasa/Public/News/20120111130500-1.jpg" width="600" height="338" border="0" alt="Belgard® Hardscapes' permeable pavers qualify projects for EPA grants totaling up to $3.8 million." />Belgard® Hardscapes' permeable pavers qualify projects for EPA grants totaling up to $3.8 million. Belgard® Hardscapes' permeable pavers may help qualify projects for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) new Urban Waters Small Grants program. The Urban Waters Small Grants program will award between $1.8 million - $3.8 million in funding during 2012 for research, studies, training, and demonstration projects with the intent to improve water quality and revitalize communities. The deadline for grant applications is January 23. "This grant offers a tremendous opportunity for those in the building and design community to create sustainable projects, something we strongly value at Belgard," said Chuck Taylor, commercial & permeable pavers expert for Belgard Hardscapes, whose sustainability education and support tools include an online technical resource center www.belgarddesignpro.com as well as regular webinars such as the December 16th "Sustainable Sites & Permeable Paving Systems." "We are always working to help builders and landscape architects find solutions that incorporate sustainability into their projects, and we're excited that our permeable pavers qualify for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) new Urban Waters Small Grants program," Taylor said. The goal of the new EPA grant program is to improve water quality, which also helps support community revitalization and other local priorities such as public health, social and economic opportunities, general livability and environmental justice for residents. As more land is developed, the natural water filtration provided by the soil is continually being diminished. In turn, stormwater runoff - mixed with motor oil, fertilizers, and other contaminants - can pollute lakes, rivers, coastlines, and groundwater. As part of a bio-aquifer stormwater system, Belgard environmental permeable pavers can virtually eliminate runoff, potentially removing the need for retention ponds or underground sewer pipes. Belgard permeable paver benefits: Reduces pollution from rainwater runoff Reduces runoff from the common rainstorm by as much as 100% 50 year life-cycle for surface Outperforms similar systems in harsh climates or freeze thaw cycles Replaces detention/retention ponds The deadline for submitting proposals to EPA is January 23, 2012. For more informationon the EPA Urban Waters Small Grant, visit www.epa.gov/urbanwaters.