Road Salt

Winter salt entering fresh water systems such as rivers, streams, or ponds is toxic to aquatic life. Increased population and ice events as well as expectations of clear roads immediately after or even during storms have worsened the problem as salt is washed from pavement into storm drains and then the waterbodies those drains empty into. Waters that were once the home of fish and other animals become toxic to those same animals. It’s a big problem but you can help!

Ways to Reduce Salt Safely

In November, begin prepping for winter by:

  • Putting snow tires on your car

  • Putting your snow scrapper, brush, and shovel in easy reach

  • Keep an emergency kit in your car with some sand

  • Checking the fit of your winter clothing, including your boots and crampons

  • Brew salt brine for the season or pick up salt and sand from your public works garage

  • Store your brine, sand, and salt in covered containers

Before the Storm

  • Check the weather - road salt doesn’t work below 15 degrees F

  • Lightly sprinkle salt or apply salt brine just before a snowstorm begins, 12 oz. of road salt is enough to cover 20 feet of driveway or 10 sidewalk squares

  • Run errands and bring work home to help stay off the roads

During the Storm

  • If you need traction, shovel and use sand

  • Wear appropriate footwear - winter boots or crampons for walking and bring a change of shoes for indoors

  • If you can, work from home, otherwise give yourself extra time to commute

  • Check car breaks and break early (8-10 seconds of distance between cars) to drive safer on slippery roads

  • Be patient with public works and other drivers

After the Storm

  • Remove as much snow as you can

  • Check the weather - road salt doesn’t work below 15 degrees F

  • Use sand for traction

  • Wear appropriate footwear - winter boots or crampons for walking and bring a change of shoes for indoors

  • If you can, work from home, otherwise give yourself extra time to commute

  • Check car breaks and break early (8-10 seconds of distance between cars) to drive safer on slippery roads

  • Be patient with public works and other drivers

Brew Your Own Brine

Brew

Mix 2.3 pounds of table salt (sodium chloride) per 1 gallon of warm water.

Stir until salt is fully dissolved. Pour into a spray bottle or hand-pump sprayer.

Watch the Weather

Brine can be applied up to three days before a storm BUT be careful there won’t be any rain or snowmelt in between that would wash it away. If in doubt, apply right before the storm.

Apply

Spray lines of brine 6 inches apart on outdoor stairs, ramps, driveways, walkways, and sidewalks before the storm. This helps prevent ice from forming.

Brine is

  • Easy to make

  • Easy to apply

  • Cheaper than rock salt and similar alternatives

  • Safe for pets (and more comfortable for their paws)

  • Effective up to ~15 degrees Fahrenheit

  • Still corrosive like other kinds of road salt so use sparingly!

Store

Store any leftover brine from the storm in the bottle. Give the bottle a good shake before applying with the next storm.