Winter Maintenance for Commercial Properties

Salt is a major drinking water quality concern. The salt spread on the ground does not go away. Eventually this salt mixes with groundwater; the water we drink.

Help keep salt out of groundwater

Industrial, commercial and institutional properties
Multi-residential properties

Free property review

Properties near municipal groundwater wells may need to follow a winter maintenance Risk Management Plan as a requirement of the Grand River Source Protection Plan, 2022 and Clean Water Act, 2006.

For a limited time, the Region of Waterloo is offering free property reviews to properties requiring a risk management plan. During t
he 60-minute consultation, a Region of Waterloo representative will walk the property with you to identify actions to reduce salt use while maintaining winter safety.

Complete this form to find out if your business requires a risk management plan and qualifies for this free service.

Winter maintenance planning worksheet

Whether you clear the snow or hire a service, you are ultimately responsible for dealing with it for the safety of others. Use this worksheet to help design your winter maintenance plan including:

  • Salt training for your team and hired contractor’s staff
  • Contracting salt by unit price per event or lump sum per season 
  • A plan to maintain good records in case of a slip and fall claim 
  • Walking your property to understand where ice forms, and how to prevent it
  • Identifying where to store plowed snow that keeps ice from forming across your parking lot due to melt and freeze weather
  • A plan to deal with ice when it is too cold for salt to work (around -10°C)

Free winter maintenance resources

The Region of Waterloo has resources to support your winter maintenance plan including:

  • Winter maintenance planning resources
  • Health and safety notices
  • Record keeping log sheets
  • Contract templates
  • Salt storage bin decals
  • Signs to close areas not receiving winter maintenance

Snow and ice management service providers

Salt management training and certification

Complete salt management training and certify as a Smart About Salt contractor through the Smart About Salt Council.

Free daily weather forecasts

Eligible Smart About Salt contractors can sign up for free weather forecasts. The forecasts are delivered four times a day from October to April.

Complete this form to find out if you qualify for the free weather forecast service.

Free winter maintenance resources

The Region of Waterloo has resources to support your clients winter maintenance plans including:

  • Health and safety notices
  • Record keeping log sheets
  • Salt storage bin decals
  • Signs to close areas not receiving winter maintenance

Educational webinars and videos

Webinars

Videos

Contact Us