Saving money and the environment

LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - A local business owner is saving the environment and saving himself some money in the process. 

Chiropractor Jim Pucka said he made a "concrete" decision.

"The interest in any small business is the bottom line," said Pucka.

The house at 1849 South Creasy Lane in Lafayette is getting a makeover, both inside and out, to make way for Pucka's office. He said he is saving big money by putting in pervious concrete.

Pervious concrete still gets the job done, but there is the difference: it allows rain water to seep through and go directly into the ground, as opposed to regular concrete where the water runs off and into the sewer system.

"There are companies around here that are paying up to $8,000 a month for having a parking lot,” said Pucka. "I do not want to be contributing to that. The other thing I do not want to contribute to is pollution in the Wabash."

"Pervious concrete has little or no sand in the mix which allows the water to pass through the pores and has a low flow rate to drain, instead of puddle with water," said Jeff Smaga with Purdy Concrete.

Pucka said he will save in the neighborhood of $500 a month on storm water fees. He said with so many money-saving incentives, he expects to see more home and business owners making the same choice he did.

The amount of money saved depends on a number of factors. To find out how much money you could save, call a city engineer.