MWMO Education and Outreach Program

The MWMO is Developing a New Education Program.

Please take time to fill out the following survey:
Click here "Education Survey"

Save this survey to your computer. Answer the survey questions and e-mail results to: jwinkelman@mwmo.org

If you would like to remain anonymous please mail your results to:
Att: Jenny Winkelman 2520 Larpenteur Ave W Lauderdale, MN 55113

Winter Snow Removal for Homeowners

Low-Salt Diet Good for the Watershed

Did you know that 8-14 MILLION tons of rock salt, or sodium chloride, are placed on winter roadways in the US every year? The fate of salt in melting snow is a growing environmental concern because it can contaminate soils, water supplies and harm vegetation and wildlife. Drinking water wells have been shut down because of high salt concentrations resulting from winter applications and storage. In the Twin Cities, Shingle Creek is federally listed as an impaired water due to the chlorides from salt used in snow and ice removal.

Individually, homeowners use fewer chemical deicers than road crews, but the cumulative effect may be considerable. The most common chemical deicers are sodium chloride, calcium chloride, potassium chloride and magnesium chloride, and they work by lowering the freezing point of water. When wet, these chemicals dissolve, and the resulting brine melts snow and ice. Abrasives, such as sand, cat litter and saw dust, are used to create traction on icy walkways when used alone or in combination with chemicals.

Both deicing chemicals and abrasives affect water quality. When snow and ice melt, they are washed off of driveways and sidewalks onto soils and down the nearest storm drain into our lakes, rivers and wetlands. By considering the following options, homeowners can make economical choices that eliminate icy walkways AND protect water quality.

• Shovel or plow first. Removing snow buildup means using less salt and makes it more effective.

• Use salt, deicers and abrasives only where needed, such as on slopes or in high traffic areas.

• Consider using only abrasives (sand, sawdust or cat litter) to create traction. Sweep them up in the spring to keep them from washing away and becoming a pollutant.

• Apply deicers evenly using a broadcast spreader instead of by the handful (see photo).

• Choose round pellets. They reach the icy surface faster (see photo).

• Consider using a liquid deicer with a handheld garden sprayer to prevent icing or to melt existing ice. One gallon equals 50-75 lbs of salt for the same 2000 sq. ft. area.

• Read labels. Know what you are applying and the effects of exposure. Some deicing chemicals corrode metal, damage concrete, kill lawns and harm pets (by burning their feet and making them sick when they lick their feet). Many deicers are NOT pure. They may have other chemicals, such as iron cyanide to prevent clumping.

Figure 1. Using a broadcast spreader distributes deicers evenly on icy walkways.

Figure 2 Round pellets are better deicers. They melt vertically and reach the
icy surface faster.

Additional notes –

Safety is the number one concern when deciding whether or not to use chemical deicers. There is a very human tendency to overapply chemicals rather than be responsible for someone being injured. Professional winter road maintenance is changing as chemicals, equipment and timing are reevaluated and improved to protect the public and the environment.

Did you know that...

…the Canadian government has classified road salt as toxic under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (1999)?

…birds don’t distinguish between grit and road salt, and a few pellets can be deadly to songbirds?

…there are biodegradable alternatives to road salt that work better at lower temperatures? When purchased in small amounts, the price difference is small.

By learning more about alternatives and the negative impacts of overusing deicers, we can make better choices that keep us safe while protecting the environment.

Links to more information:

Specific deicers, how they work, and other effects - http://www.peterschemical.com/Declaring%20War%20on%20Ice.html

Water quality guidelines from the Canadian Ministry of the Environment -
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/wat/wq/BCguidelines/chloride/chloride.html

Environmental impacts of road salt and alternatives -
http://www.forester.net/sw_0107_environmental.html

Groundwater impacts -
http://ewr.cee.vt.edu/environmental/teach/gwprimer/roadsalt/roadsalt.html
 

Work in the Public Schools
In 2003, the MWMO, in cooperation with Cairn & Associates, approached the Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) to propose strengthening water quality education in the schools, based on local waterbodies. MPS Science Department staff went further, suggesting that we make environmental education based on such local content a part of the MPS Core Science Curriculum in grades K-12. Cairn & Associates and the MPS are currently at the midpoint in developing a detailed, long-range plan to do just that.

For 2004,work will being with the St. Anthony, Roseville, and St. Paul Schools to pursue a similar planning and implementation process, building on what we are developing in Minneapolis. Cairn & Associates is also developing the Mississippi Watershed Education Reservoir, a history and resource directory which will be made available to schools, libraries, cities and community organizations on CD-Rom and downloadable from the MWMO website.

Eco-Education will be implementing their Model Schools in Urban Environmental Education in four schools within the Mississippi Watershed. This will include teacher trainings, staff support, student service-learning projects, student achievement banquet and evaluation components with selected classrooms in those four schools. Cairn & Associates and Eco-Education staff will work together to align their City Connections curriculum and program with the MPS Core Science Standards.