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Winter Snow Removal

In addition to the work that is done by the Bureau of Highways to keep County roads safe during the winter months with responsible de-icing practices, there's also a lot that individuals can do to help reduce winter salts entering our local waterways and the Chesapeake Bay. 

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Why do we salt the roads?

Ice forms when the temperature of water drops to 32° Fahrenheit (0° C). Adding salt to the roads lowers the freezing point of the water, which will make it more difficult for the water to freeze. For example, a solution of 10% salt and 90% water will only freeze at 20° Fahrenheit (-6° C), and a 20% salt solution will freeze at 2° Fahrenheit (-16° C). Learn more here.

Road salt serves a critical purpose of keeping roads safe over the winter months, but too much salt can lead to more long-term problems. Learn more about the effects that excess road salt can impact infrastructure, public health, and the local environment below.

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The Effects of Excess Road Salt:

  • Salt vs. Human Health

    The majority of drinking water in Anne Arundel County is sourced from underground wells connected to groundwater aquifers (Patapsco, Patuxent, and Aquia aquifers). It is important to do all that we can to ensure that the stormwater feeding these aquifers contains minimal amounts of sodium so that the groundwater can stay as fresh as possible for human consumption.

    Drinking water guidelines by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommend sodium in drinking water be less than 20 milligrams per liter for those on severely restricted sodium diets.

  • Salt vs. Pet Health

    Sensitivity and irritation to pet paws, toes, feet, and skin can occur from exposure to salt, as well as if the pet eats salt or licks its paws after a walk. Excess salt can cause toxicity concerns and other health problems. 

    Learn more about tips & tricks for Bay-friendly pet owners on our Pet Waste Reduction Campaign page.

  • Salt vs. Infrastructure

    The corrosive nature of salt causes the increased frequency in the need for maintenance, repair, and replacement of pipes, vehicles, bridges, roads, buildings, and other critical infrastructure. Corrosion of water main pipes can lead to an increase in water main breaks and cause discolored water. 

  • Salt vs. Environment

    Excessive of road salts can cause damage to vegetation, organisms in soil, birds and to other wildlife. Chloride ions from road salts find their way eventually into waterways, either via direct surface runoff or groundwater infiltration. In surface water, excess salt can harm freshwater plants, fish and other organisms that are not adapted to living in saline waters. 

 

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Source: www.wisaltwise.com/oversalting    

 

Best Practices for Winter Snow Removal:

  • For Individual Properties

    ❄️Shovel early and often - Clear pavement and driveways before snow turns into ice.

    ❄️Less is more -  Use de-icing products sparingly and evenly. Using a lawn spreader can help with even spreading and prevent clumping. The Wisconsin Salt Wise program offers helpful graphics to demonstrate correct and incorrect salt application.

    ❄️Sweep and reuse - Once the snow has melted, you can sweep and collect any remaining salt/sand/de-icer to reuse for the next storm.

    ❄️Consider alternative products - Salt-free and pet-safe de-icers, such as those containing calcium magnesium acetate (CMA), are generally more environmentally friendly because it is significantly less corrosive. More information on CMA is available here.

 

Additional Resources and Programs:

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