What is a primary advantage of directing a paved driveway to a vegetated swale?

Directing a paved driveway to a vegetated swale primarily aids in stormwater management by facilitating the natural absorption and filtration of water runoff. When rainwater flows off the paved surfaces, it can carry pollutants and sediments into storm drains, which may lead to water pollution and local ecosystem degradation. The vegetated swale acts as a green infrastructure solution, capturing the runoff and allowing it to percolate through the soil, where contaminants can be filtered out. This process helps recharge groundwater and reduces the volume of stormwater that enters conventional drainage systems, thereby mitigating the risk of flooding and erosion.

The other options, while potentially beneficial in other contexts, do not capture the primary purpose of directing water to a vegetated swale. Construction costs may vary, property value can be influenced by multiple factors, and aesthetic appeal is important but secondary to the ecological purpose of managing water runoff. The critical advantage lies in how a vegetated swale effectively manages stormwater, promoting environmental sustainability and protecting water quality.