To help melt snow and ice during the winter months, salt is applied to the roads. As the snow and ice melt, it travels into stormwater systems. Due to excessive salt use, chloride concentrations have increased in surface and groundwater. Chloride does not degrade in soil and water, and it can create toxic conditions for fish and other animals that live in our lakes and rivers.

1. Shovel. The more snow and ice you remove manually, the less salt you will have to use and the more effective it will be.

2. Set a schedule. During larger snow events, try to shovel every one to two hours depending on how long the snow event is to prevent ice from forming under the snow.

3. 15 degrees Fahrenheit is too cold for salt. Most salts stop working at this temperature. Use alternatives like sand for traction but remember that sand doesn’t melt the ice.

4. Slow down. Drive for the conditions and make sure to give plow drivers plenty of room to do their work. Consider purchasing winter (snow) tires for your vehicle.

5. Be patient. Just because you don’t see salt on the road doesn’t mean it hasn’t been applied. These products take time to work.

6. Apply less. More salt doesn’t mean more melting. Use less than 4 pounds of salt per 1,000 square feet. One pound of salt is approximately a 12-ounce coffee mug. Leave approximately a 3-inch space between granules. Consider purchasing a hand-held spreader to help you apply a consistent amount.

7. Sweep up extra. If salt or sand is visible on dry pavement, it is no longer doing any work and will be washed away into the stormwater system. Use the excess salt or sand somewhere else or dispose of it accordingly.