Does your business provide winter maintenance services?
Deicing salt accounts for approximately 75% of chloride found in our waterways. During precipitation events and snowmelt, stormwater gathers excess salt and washes it into our nearby streams and lakes. The remaining 25% of chloride in surface and groundwater is from water softeners. Chloride in water has major negative impacts to wildlife, the environment, and us.
Knowing how much salt to use and the best time to apply is critical to keeping the balance between safe roads, driveways, parking lots, and sidewalks and a healthy sustainable environment.
The city is proud to say, all winter maintenance crew members are Smart Salting Certified!
Follow this link to a Winter Parking Lot and Sidewalk Maintenance Manual:
Winter Parking Lot and Sidewalk Maintenance Manual (state.mn.us) (PDF)
Ways your company can make a difference:
- Get your crew Smart Salting Certified. Follow this link for information on getting certified: Smart Salting training | Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (state.mn.us)
- Familiarize your crew with proper application techniques such as applying the right methods or tools given weather conditions, measuring pavement temperatures, and equipment calibration.
- Make sure to properly store the salt undercover, away from storm drains, and on a hard surface.
Learn more about our Stormwater Program at owatonna.gov/stormwater or contact Brad Rademacher, Stormwater/ Water Quality Specialist at 507-774-7300 or stormwater@ci.owatonna.mn.us.