Snow and Ice Clearing Tips for Homeowners

Salt is a major water quality concern. The salt spread on the ground does not go away. Eventually this salt mixes with groundwater; the water we drink. There are steps you can take to help.

Think of groundwater before salting

• Shovel or plow the snow as soon as you can before it packs down and turns to ice
• If ice forms, break up with a steel chopper and clear away with a shovel
• Add traction with sand, grit or non-clumping kitty litter

If salt is absolutely necessary

• A sand and salt mix offers traction and ice melting with less salt.
• A little goes far. In many cases, a few tablespoons of salt for a one-metre square area is all you need.
• Spread salt evenly on icy areas only. Do not use salt to melt snow.
• Wait to reapply. Even when you cannot see it, salt is hard at work.
• Salt does not expire. Clean up spilled and excess salt for another time.

Did you know?

• Salt does not work when colder than -10C
• Environmentally friendly ice melters contain salt and are not water friendly
• Once salt is in the water, there is no easy fix to remove it