In a world where more than 23 billion cubic meters of water are lost each year due to unmanaged urban runoff, continuing to pave without ecological awareness is no longer a technical flaw—it’s a failure of vision. In industrial zones like the Mar del Plata – Batán Industrial Park, this situation is no longer just an environmental threat: it’s a structural limitation to sustainable development. This permeable pavement project transforms that threat into opportunity by replacing impervious surfaces with a nature-based solution that allows up to 2,000 liters per square meter per hour to infiltrate the soil—enhancing aquifer recharge and dramatically reducing polluted runoff.
This approach goes far beyond water efficiency. It redefines the very logic of industrial urbanism: every square meter of pavement becomes an ally for climate resilience, mitigation of saline intrusion, and restoration of underground hydrological ecosystems. In a context where the water table has dropped critically due to industrial overexploitation, this intervention offers a tangible, scalable, and verifiable course correction.
Located in Batán, Province of Buenos Aires (Argentina), the project not only addresses a local crisis—it anticipates a replicable model for industrial parks across water-stressed regions of Latin America. Its technical rationale is rooted in the urgent deterioration of the Pampeano aquifer, growing pressure on urban drainage systems, and mounting evidence of the link between conventional paving and ecosystem degradation. The park operator, together with regulatory entities and local industrial actors, will implement this solution with digital monitoring and third-party validation, fully aligned with the VWBA 2.0 principles of additionality, traceability, and intentionality.
This project not only meets the criteria to generate quantifiable water benefits—it embeds them within a broader narrative of systemic change, fully aligned with the Water Positive strategy. It also delivers measurable co-benefits for water quality under the WQBA methodology and contributes directly to SDGs 6, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15. In the face of an outdated and extractive model, this project demonstrates that it is both possible and essential to build infrastructure that gives back more than it takes.
This opportunity arises from a clear challenge: the Pampeano aquifer, the primary water source for Mar del Plata and its industrial operations, is overexploited. With estimated daily consumption between 5,000 and 20,000 m³ and widespread use of impervious surfaces, the water table has steadily declined, heightening the risk of saline intrusion. This project addresses that critical issue by installing permeable pavement in high-impact zones—entrances, loading docks, and circulation areas—replacing conventional paving with high-infiltration materials.
The selected technology—modular porous concrete blocks, filtering geotextiles, and subsurface drainage layers—will allow rainwater to infiltrate directly into the soil, promoting aquifer recharge and easing pressure on the urban drainage network. Complementary measures include infiltration trenches, green swales, and digital monitoring systems with infiltration sensors and groundwater level trackers, validated under VWBA standards and the AWS framework.
In the short term, the project will result in measurable increases in infiltration (m³/year), alongside immediate benefits such as improved water quality and reduced surface runoff. In the medium and long term, the impact will be twofold: recovery of groundwater levels and reduced risk of local hydrological collapse. The structural drivers of the current problem—mass paving without drainage capacity, industrial growth with no green infrastructure, and lack of real-time monitoring—are precisely the issues this solution is designed to reverse, directly and scalably.
This model can be led by forward-thinking industrial companies aiming to turn infrastructure into an ESG asset. Acting now means not only mitigating an operational water risk but also gaining leadership in a new paradigm: one where industrial zones not only consume water, but regenerate it. This intervention turns investors into protagonists of a narrative that extends far beyond water balance—toward climate resilience, corporate reputation, and territorial innovation.
Rainwater harvesting and reuse
Collection systems on rooftops and paved surfaces, with storage tanks and regulated flow, can be integrated into non-potable uses such as landscaping, cooling towers, or sanitation. This reduces freshwater withdrawals and enhances local water resilience.
Industrial or municipal wastewater reuse
Advanced treatment systems (MBR, UF, RO) allow for internal reuse in cleaning, cooling, or industrial processes. Water exchange between companies within the park (“industrial water symbiosis”) can optimize use and create shared circular flows, reducing pressure on freshwater sources.
Process optimization for water efficiency
Re-engineering industrial processes to reduce water demand, implementing optimized cleaning cycles, and using automation for real-time control can lower the water intensity per product unit and reduce total demand.
Reduction of leaks and water losses
Implementing hydraulic sectorization, smart metering, and network rehabilitation helps recover otherwise wasted water and improves overall system efficiency.
Substitution of high-footprint water sources
Replacing potable or groundwater use with alternative sources like reclaimed or harvested rainwater reduces the overall water footprint and aligns sourcing strategies with science-based targets.
Water quality improvement and discharge control
Reducing pollutant loads (COD, nutrients, metals) through enhanced treatment or natural systems (constructed wetlands, biofiltration) contributes to Water Quality Benefits and helps regenerate downstream ecosystems.
Green infrastructure and permeability
The project will implement permeable pavement across the industrial park to reduce surface runoff and enhance natural infiltration. High-porosity materials such as porous concrete and interlocking pavers will replace traditional pavement, allowing rainwater to percolate into the underlying soil and replenish groundwater reserves. This solution is engineered to withstand heavy industrial loads while maintaining its permeability and long-term functionality.
The hydraulic design will incorporate multiple layers, including filtration layers, gravel beds, and geotextile membranes, to act as natural filtration and storage systems. These structures ensure that infiltrated water is gradually absorbed into the subsoil while avoiding sediment accumulation and clogging. Drainage trenches and perforated pipes will be embedded in the pavement system to capture and redirect excess water toward designated recharge zones, distributing it evenly across the site to prevent localized flooding.
An advanced monitoring system will be deployed to track infiltration rates, groundwater levels, and pollutant concentrations in real time. This data will enable proactive management and system optimization. In parallel, a structured maintenance plan will ensure long-term performance, including regular vacuum sweeping, pressure washing, sediment removal, and inspections to maintain optimal infiltration capacity and extend the pavement’s contribution to aquifer recharge and flood mitigation.
WASH and water access interventions
Improvements in sanitation and access to safe water for workers, along with water education for employees and suppliers, and community engagement initiatives, create measurable social impact aligned with WASH Benefit Accounting.
Sustainable desalination integrated with port operations
A sustainable desalination plant will be installed at the port, located 20 km from the industrial park, to supply treated water for both port activities and industrial users connected to the park. This infrastructure will use energy-efficient, high-recovery technologies and renewable energy sources to minimize its environmental footprint while generating a reliable, climate-resilient water source.
By integrating the industrial park with port operations through this shared desalination system, the project significantly reduces dependence on freshwater sources, lowers the combined water footprint of industrial and logistics operations, and ensures water security along the supply chain. This approach extends water stewardship beyond the industrial park, enabling measurable additionality across sectors and creating a replicable model of regional water-positive infrastructure.
Digital monitoring and traceability
The integration of IoT sensors and real-time data platforms enables predictive water demand management, quality control, and baseline simulation. This supports certified and auditable water benefit generation.
SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation: Enhances water management by reducing contaminated runoff and increasing aquifer recharge.
SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth: Generates employment through construction, maintenance, and monitoring activities.
SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: Promotes resilient and sustainable infrastructure in industrial settings.
SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities: Mitigates the negative effects of urbanization through sustainable drainage solutions.
SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production: Encourages efficient water use and reduces industrial pollution.
SDG 13 – Climate Action: Increases resilience to extreme weather events, reducing the risk of floods and droughts.
SDG 14 – Life Below Water: Reduces contamination in coastal water bodies by preventing pollutant runoff.
SDG 15 – Life on Land: Protects water-related ecosystems through nature-based solutions.
SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals: Engages public, private, and industrial sectors in a collaborative, cross-sector solution.
The implementation of permeable pavement in the Mar del Plata – Batán Industrial Park is a strategic intervention designed to restore the hydrological balance of the Pampeano aquifer. By enabling controlled infiltration of rainwater through high-porosity, load-bearing materials and multi-layered filtration systems, the project directly contributes to groundwater recharge, reduces surface runoff, and enhances the park’s overall climate resilience.
Beyond improving water availability, this nature-based infrastructure minimizes flood risks, prevents soil degradation, and improves the quality of the recharged water by filtering out sediments and pollutants before they reach the aquifer. The integration of advanced monitoring systems—tracking infiltration rates, groundwater levels, and water quality—ensures continuous optimization and verifiable impact over time.
This initiative is aligned with the Volumetric Water Benefit Accounting (VWBA) methodology, guaranteeing that the generated water benefits are measurable, additional, and certifiable. By combining regenerative design, data-driven management, and industrial sector engagement, the project provides a robust, scalable solution for reducing water-related risks while creating long-term value for both industry and community.
More than a local sustainability effort, this project sets a new benchmark for industrial water stewardship in Latin America. It demonstrates how green infrastructure and collaborative governance can transform water-intensive zones into resilient, water-positive ecosystems—contributing to regional water security and climate adaptation goals.
