Abstract: A structural module (10) for use in water irrigation, water drainage, water retention and water filtering systems, comprises a load bearing base unit (10) and porous material (15), wherein the base unit has a top wall (11) and a bottom wall (12) spaced therefrom by one or more supporting elements (13, 20) so as to define a volume between the top and bottom walls. The base unit being provided with apertures (17, 18, 19) to permit the flow of liquid into and out of the volume. The porous material is a block (15) foamed polymeric material which occupies a substantial portion of the volume within the base unit and absorbs and retains water that passes through the apertures.

Abstract: A paving system comprises an upper paving layer (1) permeable to liquid, and a substrate layer (7) of load bearing particulate material. Particles (10) of a non-load bearing, non-degradable porous foamed polymeric material are distributed in the interstitial spaces between particles (9) of the load bearing particulate material. The porous material may be an open celled phenolyic foam such as foamed phenol formaldehyde resin. The porous material absorbs water and also serves to retain microorganisms to break down pollutants. The system can be in fluid communication with the surrounding soil. Elements of the porous material may be used in lumps, which crumble under load into particles, which settle into the substrate layer.

Abstract: A structural module (10) for use in water irrigation, water drainage, water retention and water filtering systems, comprises a load bearing base unit (10) and porous material (15), wherein the base unit has a top wall (11) and a bottom wall (12) spaced therefrom by one or more supporting elements (13, 20) so as to define a volume between the top and bottom walls. The base unit being provided with apertures (17, 18, 19) to permit the flow of liquid into and out of the volume. The porous material is a block (15) foamed polymeric material which occupies a substantial portion of the volume within the base unit and absorbs and retains water that passes through the apertures.

Abstract: A paving system comprises an upper paving layer (1) permeable to liquid, and a substrate layer (7) of load bearing particulate material. Particles (10) of a non-load bearing, non-degradable porous foamed polymeric material are distributed in the interstitial spaces between particles (9) of the load bearing particulate material. The porous material may be an open celled phenolyic foam such as foamed phenol formaldehyde resin. The porous material absorbs water and also serves to retain microorganisms to break down pollutants. The system can be in fluid communication with the surrounding soil. Elements of the porous material may be used in lumps, which crumble under load into particles, which settle into the substrate layer.