Photo via X (Twitter) @CityPtbo
The City of Peterborough is refining its road salt management practices as part of its winter maintenance program. By using de-icing chemicals efficiently and strategically, the city aims to keep roads and sidewalks safe while minimizing environmental harm.
Key measures include staff training, regular equipment calibration, and closely monitoring weather conditions. These steps, combined with research on best practices, help optimize salt use across roads and sidewalks.
The city uses pre-wet salt applications for most weather events, excluding freezing rain. This method, which involves spraying a brine solution on rock salt as it is applied, reduces the overall amount of salt needed, keeps it in place longer, and accelerates its melting process. Nineteen city trucks are equipped for this approach, with each truck carrying up to 1,175 litres of brine.
Special attention is given to Salt Vulnerable Areas under the Ontario Clean Water Act, ensuring minimal environmental disruption while maintaining road safety. For sidewalks, more salt is needed to counteract lower moisture levels and limited vehicle traffic that would otherwise help create brine.
Temperature significantly impacts salt’s effectiveness, with its ability to melt ice decreasing as temperatures drop below -9°C. The city tailors its strategies to each storm, considering conditions such as frost depth, weather trends, and temperature changes.
Officials says Peterborough’s commitment to efficient salt use highlights the balance between public safety and environmental care during challenging winter months.
(Written by: Scott Arnold)
