How does paving parking lots and roads with concrete or asphalt affect surface water and groundwater?

Parking lots with roads and concrete reduce infiltration. Infiltration is the process by which water penetrates the soil. Reducing the amount of water that enters the soil can eventually impact groundwater levels in some areas by decreasing it over time. Paved roads lead to increased surface runoff which increases the possibility of flooding in periods of heavy rainfall. This is known as urban flooding.