Best Management Practices For Ice Control
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Outlined below are some sensible management strategies that can provide effective ice control and prevent excess runoff of chemicals to streams, rivers and Lake Ontario and Lake Erie.
- Avoid use of salt by clearing walkways of snow before it turns to ice and consider that salt and deicers are not effective when more than 7.5 cm (3 in.) have accumulated.
- Consider the temperature. Salt and CMA have a much slower effect on melting snow and ice at temperatures below -4° C (25° F).
- Track winter weather and only use salt and deicers when a storm is imminent. If a winter storm does not occur, sweep up any unused material, store, and reuse for the next big storm.
- Apply deicing products discriminately, focusing on high-use and graded areas where traction is critical and apply the least amount necessary to get the job done. This will save money in product costs and will also help minimize property damage to paved surfaces, vehicles, and vegetation.
- Become familiar with various de-icing products and wetting agents such as magnesium chloride and calcium chloride, which can improve the effectiveness of salt and reduce the amount needed.
- Winter weather is difficult to predict and there are many variables affecting winter maintenance operations such as the type of precipitation, air and pavement temperature, traffic, wind, time of day, day of week, and the availability of maintenance personnel. If, however, you observe ongoing issues of ineffective ice management or examples of poor application, such as excess piles of road salt left to disperse, share your concerns with the property manager of your residence or business, or with your local, regional or provincial government.
- Plant native "salt tolerant" vegetation in storm water drainage swales and ponds that receive salt-laden runoff (these native species have a greater chance for survival).
- Store salt and other products on an impervious surface to prevent ground contamination and in a dry, covered area to prevent storm water runoff.
