Watershed Wednesday: Water Quality with Snow and Salt

Jan 26

Happy #WatershedWednesday! Driving or walking on sidewalks during winter can feel more like ice skating sometimes! A solution could be to use road salt or deicers, but both break down in water, harming our streams and freshwater critters.

To reduce pollutants going into our streams (and to reduce your chances of slipping), here are steps from our friends over at the Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District on how to be a smart steward:

Step One: Remove the Snow

Shovel, Scrape, Repeat. The old-fashioned way is the best way to remove snow! Shovel the snow, scrape the ice. Avoid ice buildup by shoveling early and often. Redirect downspouts away from hard surfaces to keep water from building up and freezing on your paved surfaces.
Don't Let Snow Get Compacted. Don't wait until the snowstorm is over. Try to get out and shovel one or two times before the snow piles up and becomes compacted. Compacted snow is very heavy, slick and hard to separate from the pavement.
Choose the Right Tool. There are many kinds of snow and ice, so you're going to need more than one tool to do the job. Check with your local hardware store to find push shovels, school shovels, ice chisels, and ice scrapers.
Step 2: Let's Talk About Salt, Baby!
There is no such thing as an "environmentally friendly" salt or deicer. Any salt or deicer contains chloride. The best thing you can do is to reduce how much you use. When you do use it, use in moderation and follow product instructions.
When to Use Salt. If you must apply salt or deicer, apply after the storm is over. Clear off loose or compacted snow first. Apply the product on ice only. Do not apply it on dry pavement. Temperatures commonly drop after a storm. Double-check the label on the product to ensure it will work before you apply it! Some do not work below specific temperatures. Furthermore, if it's a warm day and the sidewalk is wet, don't use deicers. The sun will do the job for you, and any deicer you apply will go straight down the storm drain.
How Much Salt to Use. Using more salt doesn't melt ice any faster. Use just enough to do the job. You can shoot for a 3-inch spread between salt granules. A hand spreader is about $10-$20 and can make application easier and more precise. Try to apply no more than one pound of salt per 250 square feet of pavement. Pro tip: one pound of salt can typically fit in a regular-sized coffee mug.
Sand is Another Option. Use sand when it's too cold for salt to work. Sprinkle just enough to get traction on walkways. Sweep up any excess after the ice melts and dispose of in the trash or reuse it. Keep sand out of the storm drains - sand is a pollutant too. Don't mix sand and salt together. They have two different purposes, and sand will not help in wet, melting snow and slush.