When you are shoveling away the snow and treating your sidewalks and driveways this winter, remember to go easy on the salt. It should only take a small amount of salt to help melt any ice on your paths. Excess leftover salt becomes runoff and can be harmful to wildlife, soil, and the water quality in our community.
Check out these tips from the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago:
- Shovel first. Salt should only be used after the snow is removed and only in areas needed for safety.
- Size matters. More salt does not mean more melting. A 12-ounce coffee mug of salt should be enough for a 20-foot driveway or 10 sidewalk squares (250 square feet).
- Spread. Distribute salt evenly, not in clumps. Clumped salt is wasted salt!
- Sweep. If salt is leftover on the ground after the ice melts, then too much salt was used. Sweep up leftover salt to keep it out of local rivers and streams.
- Switch. Untreated salt stops working if the temperature is below 15 degrees. When temperatures drop that low, switch to sand for traction or choose a different deicer formulated for colder temperatures.