The typical road salt—sodium chloride—has a significant environmental cost, posing dangers to our natural spaces, particularly to Wisconsin's beloved lakes and rivers. According to a recent Facebook post by the Village of Shorewood, when rainfall or snowmelt sweeps away the salt, it can contaminate waterways, with a single teaspoon of salt being enough to render five gallons of water toxic to native organisms.
And the trouble with salt does not end there—aside from the threat to aquatic life, salt scattered on sidewalks and driveways can damage landscaping, harm pets' paws, and cause inflammation and gastrointestinal issues. Starting to remove snow as it falls and doing so periodically, as the Conservatory Committee recommends, you can significantly reduce the need for salt because clear surfaces won't need as much to prevent icing over. "Remove as much snow as you can before applying any salt so you will need less and what you use will be more effective," the Village of Shorewood advises.
The guidance continues with a call for moderation—"Use less. A coffee cup full is enough for a 10 ft sidewalk or a 20 ft driveway," the Village of Shorewood suggests, advocating for residents to be parsimonious with their salt use. Furthermore, any salt that remains after a storm should be swept up and saved for future use, as it prevents further environmental contamination and extends the salt supply. However, in conditions below 15 degrees Fahrenheit, sodium chloride loses its efficacy. In such frigid times, sand or a de-icing product containing calcium chloride, which works in temperatures as low as -25°F, is recommended.
