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Reducing Road Salt Usage on Medical Campuses

Photo: Jennifer Latzgo

Insert presenter’s name and organization here

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Insert here information about your orgnization

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Agenda

Causes and impacts of road salt pollution
Best management practices for medical campuses
Questions

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Causes and Impacts of Salt Pollution

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Road salt use has doubled in the past 50 years

Carey Institute

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Why the increase?

Increased development = more roads,

parking lots, impervious surfaces that need

deicers in winter

2. Fear of liability for slips and falls

Change in expectations
Lack of knowledge about correct amount of salt

Oversalting at a hospital campus. Photo: Jennifer Latzgo

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De-icing chemicals

Sodium chloride (rock salt)
Magnesium chloride
Calcium chloride

All contain chloride

Photo: Jennifer Latzgo

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Where the salt comes from

Chloride loads measured in Policy-Porcupine New Hampshire Watershed Region (Burak, et-al., 2008)

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Where does the salt go?

Runoff
Storm drains (likely drains to streams)
Directly to streams: causes salt spikes
Infiltrates ground → groundwater (45%)
Accumulates in groundwater

Photo Mary Rooney

So where does the salt go once it is spread? As the snow melts or it rains, it gets washed off the road or the parking lot. Some of it washes across the ground as stormwater runoff and ends up in streams where it causes salt spikes in the winter.

Some of it goes down storm drains like the one in this picture. Many storm drains lead directly to streams. A lot of it, about 45 % soaks down into the ground and infiltrates the groundwater. Unfortunately, once it’s down there, it gradually accumulates making the groundwater become saltier and saltier.

References: �Minnesota Stormwater Manual. (2011). Environmental Impacts of Road Salt and Other de-icing Chemicals - Minnesota Stormwater Manual. State.mn.us. https://stormwater.pca.state.mn.us/index.php/Environmental_impacts_of_road_salt_and_other_de-icing_chemicals

�A Fresh Look at Road Salt: Aquatic Toxicity and Water-Quality Impacts on Local, Regional, and National Scales

�

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Gaining Stream

Illustration with permission from the Groundwater Project

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Effects on the environment

Interferes with osmotic regulation
Reduces oxygen content of water

Impacts zooplankton
Amphibians
Fish
Ponds/lakes: creates oxygen deficient layer of water
Affects aquatic plants

Phto by Jennifer Latzgo

Photo Jennifer Latzgo

Unfortunately, chloride also has negative effect on the environment. In bodies of water it interferes with osmotic regulation and it reduces the oxygen content of the water. This impacts zooplankton, amphibians and fish. In ponds and lakes, salty water is more dense and can form a layer of oxygen deficient water at the bottom that is harmful to wildlife. And aquatic plants are affected because they cannot absorb water through their roots.

References:

Górecka, A., Szklarek, S., Frankiewicz, P. et al. Does winter application of road salt affect zooplankton communities in urban ponds?. Aquat Sci 85, 111 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00027-023-01009-y�Effects of road de-icing salt (NaCl) on larval wood frogs (Rana sylvatica)

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16159689/�Collins, S. J., & Russell, R. W. (2009). Toxicity of road salt to Nova Scotia amphibians. Environmental Pollution, 157(1), 320–324. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2008.06.032�Environmental Hazards of Road Salt

https://extension.psu.edu/environmental-hazards-of-road-salt#:~:text=This%20exponential%20increase%20in%20road,amounts%20of%20impermeable%20land%20cover.�Impact of salinization on lake stratification and spring mixing:

https://aslopubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/lol2.10215�Hintz, W. D., & Relyea, R. A. (2017). Impacts of road deicing salts on the early-life growth and development of a stream salmonid: Salt type matters. Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987), 223, 409–415. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2017.01.040�Norrstrom, A., & Bergstedt, E. (2001). The Impacts of Road De-Icing Salts (NaCl) on Colloid Dispersion and Base Cation Pools in Roadside Soils, Water, Air, &Salt Pollution [Review of The Impacts of Road De-Icing Salts (NaCl) on Colloid Dispersion and Base Cation Pools in Roadside Soils, Water, Air, &Salt Pollution]. Springer Nature Link, 27, 281–289. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1023/A:1005221314856#citeas

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Effects on Soil and Plantings

Rock salt can travel 10 meters off a surface via bounce and scatter

Sodium and chloride damage soil and plantings
Extremely costly to replace

Photo: Mary Rooney

This photo was taken at a medical facility, and shows grass that has been killed along a heavily salted walkway. Research shows that when rock salt is spread, it often bounces and scatters up to 10 meters beyond the paved surface. The sodium and chloride in the salt damage the soil and surrounding plants, and replacing this landscaping after winter can be extremely costly.

References:

UMass Extension: The Impact of Salts on Plants and How to Reduce Plant Injury form Winter Salt Applications:

https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/fact-sheets/impact-of-salts-on-plants-how-to-reduce-plant-injury-from-winter-salt�Special Report 235. Highway Deicing. Comparing Salt and Magnesium Acetate. Transportation Research Board:

https://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/sr/sr235.html�Minnesota Stormwater Manual:

https://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/sr/sr235.html�Yan, N., Marschner, P., Cao, W., Zuo, C., & Qin, W. (2015). Influence of salinity and water content on soil microorganisms. International Soil and Water Conservation Research, 3(4), 316–323. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iswcr.2015.11.003

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Damage to Infrastructure

Metal structures

Railings
Door frames
Ramps

Concrete structures

Reinforcing steel
Parking garages

Flooring

Photo: Jennifer Latzgo

Salt also causes significant and very costly damage to infrastructure on medical campuses. It accelerates corrosion of metal features such as railings, door frames, and ramps. Salt also breaks down concrete through chemical reactions and by increasing the frequency and severity of freeze–thaw damage. When salt penetrates concrete, it can corrode the reinforcing steel inside, weakening the structure over time. Breakdown of concrete is especially problematic in parking garages, where salt tracked in by vehicles remains on the surface and is not easily washed away by rain. When salt is tracked indoors, it damages flooring by causing staining, surface abrasion, and the breakdown of protective finishes.

References:

https://www.matec-conferences.org/articles/matecconf/pdf/2022/08/matecconf_cs2022_06002.pdf

https://waldmaneng.com/2024/09/09/the-impact-of-chloride-ions-on-building-structures/#:~:text=Chloride%20ions%2C%20found%20in%20de,strategies%20and%20maintaining%20structural%20integrity.

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�Effects on drinking water

Drinking water comes from rivers and groundwater

Water treatment does not remove salt

Sodium problematic for people with hypertension

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Illustration with permission of Izaak Walton League

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How much salt?

Rock salt: crystals should be approximately 3 inches apart
12 oz sufficient for 20 paving squares
You don’t need to feel “crunch”
Excessive salt poses slip/fall risk
After snow/ice event, leftover salt should be swept up

Photo courtesy of Izaak Walton League Salt Watch

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Add your local photos and data here

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Best Management Practices (BMP’s)

Right amount of deicer at the right time
Maintain safety
Meaningful cost savings:

Reduced materials costs
Reduced maintenance costs
Reduced landscaping expenses

Reduce environmental damage
Support public health

Photo: John McIntyre

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Mechanical Snow Removal

During/after storm
Prevents compaction
Reduction in deicing chemicals
Paths and sidewalks:

Rotary brooms
Snow blowers
Snow scrapers

Photo; Courtesy Western Plows

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Segmented/live-edge plow

Conform to contours of surface
Cleaner scrape
Faster – fewer passes needed
Save $ on labor and fuel
50% reduction salt used

Segmented plow courtesy Metal Pless

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Close high-risk, high-maintenance areas

Duplicated sidewalks
Stairs
High-risk areas

Illustration: J Latzgo

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Spot salting

Only spread salt where it is needed rather than having a “blanket” approach

Photo: J. Latzgo

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Calibrating spreaders

Manual-controlled push spreaders
Manual-controlled motorized spreaders
Calibrate at least annually & any time service performed
Calibrate for each kind of material used
Avoids guesswork
Can result in significant reduction in salt
Low-cost

Photo Marilee Ebus

One of the most effective—and lowest-cost—best management practices is calibrating salt spreading equipment. This is a simple step that can have a major impact on material costs and salt use. In fact, proper calibration can reduce salt application by up to 50 percent, without compromising safety.

All spreaders, including manual-controlled push spreaders which are used for sidewalks, and motorized spreaders such as the truck in this picture should be calibrated at least annually. In addition, they should be calibrated any time service is performed and for each kind of deicing material that’s used.

Calibration allows operators to know exactly how much material is being applied at each setting. That information makes it possible to apply salt intentionally and consistently, rather than relying on guesswork.

References:

PennDOT data from Tech Sheet 168, Table 10.

NH Hydraulic-Run Spreader Calibration

https://www.des.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt341/files/documents/bmp-hydro-calib.pdf

Wisconsin Winter Maintenance Manual, Parking Lots, Sidewalks, and Trails

https://www.wisaltwise.com/documents/PDFs/Madison-Parking-Lot-Manual-Final-7-19-2019.pdf

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Calibrating spreaders

Mayo Clinic Rochester, Minnesota
Staff had been using 3 – 6x recommended amount of salt
Contractors had been using 4 -15x recommended amount of salt
Application rate charts on equipment
Training

Photo Marilee Ebus

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Deicing Application Rate Charts

Madison Parking Lot Manual

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Pre-wetting salt

Spray with brine
Less bounce and scatter
Salt activates faster
Michigan:

30% reduction in materials
78% stayed in center of roadway

Reuse salt truck wash water to pre-wet salt or make brine

If rock salt is used, pre-wetting it by spraying it with brine before it is spread will make it stick to the road or parking lot surface resulting in less waste from bounce and scatter. It will also activate to melt snow and ice faster. Pre-wetting rock salt can result in a 30% reduction in the amount of salt that is needed. Michigan’s DOT found that pre-wetting resulted in a cost savings of one third, and that 78% of the salt stayed within the center of the roadway.

References:

Southwestern Water Resource Center, PennDOT: Quick Resource Guide for Winter Maintenance BMP’s

https://spcwater.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/WinterMaintGuidebook.pdf

Wisconsin Winter Maintenance Manual, Parking Lots, Sidewalks, and Trails

https://www.wisaltwise.com/documents/PDFs/Madison-Parking-Lot-Manual-Final-7-19-2019.pdf

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Pre-Treatment: Brining

23.3% solution of salt and water
Pre-treatment
Can be mixed on site or purchased
Stays in position: no bounce and scatter
Prevents snow from bonding
Results in more effective plowing
50% reduction in salt use
Reduces materials/labor/fuel costs
Does not damage landscaping

Brine truck Rochester Medical Center. Photo: John McIntyre

Using brine for pre-treating roads, paths and parking lots is one of the most effective tools for reducing overall salt use while maintaining safety.

Brine is a 23.3 percent solution of salt and water. Pre-treating means that it’s applied before a storm. Brine can either be mixed on site with relatively simple equipment or purchased pre-mixed.

One of the major advantages of brine is that it stays where it’s applied. Unlike dry salt, it doesn’t bounce or scatter off the pavement, which means far less material is wasted.

It is better at melting snow and ice than rock salt, and because it creates a thin barrier on the pavement, it prevents snow and ice from bonding to the surface. That makes plowing significantly more effective because snow comes off more cleanly, and less material is needed afterward.

Using brine can result in up to a 50 percent reduction in salt use. Because it reduces the amount of plowing that is needed, it also results saves money on labor and fuel.

Another benefit is that brine can be spread well ahead of a storm meaning that employees can do the work during their regular shifts resulting in savings on overtime.

And finally, it does not cause expensive damage to landscaping around campus.

References

Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies: Road Salt The Problem, The Solution, and How to Get There.

https://www.caryinstitute.org/sites/default/files/downloads/report_road_salt.pdf

Wisconsin Winter Maintenance Manual, Parking Lots, Sidewalks, and Trails

https://www.wisaltwise.com/documents/PDFs/Madison-Parking-Lot-Manual-Final-7-19-2019.pdf

�

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Deicing Application Rate Charts

Madison Parking Lot Manual

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Salt storage

Under cover
Level site
Impervious surface
Outside 100-year floodplain, areas of localized flooding, stormwater facilities
Drainage controls: prevent runoff
Clean up spills
Inspected and maintained regularly

Photo: Jennifer Latzgo

Road salt that is not stored properly can be dissolved by rain resulting in salt runoff and leaching into the ground. Salt that gets wet can also lump together making it more difficult to load and apply.

Here are some guidelines for salt pile storage:

All salt piles should be covered by permanent structures like the one in the picture, or under weighted, heavy-duty tarps.

They should be on an impervious surface and the site should be level. and outside the 100-year floodplain as well as areas of localized flooding and away from stormwater facilities.

There should be adequate drainage controls to prevent any runoff.

After loading, staff should clean up any spills that occur.

Salt piles should be inspected and maintained regularly.

References:

Stormwater Best Management Practice, Deicing Material Application and Storage:

https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2021-11/bmp-deicing-material-application-and-storage.pdf

Southwestern Water Resource Center, PennDOT: Quick Resource Guide for Winter Maintenance BMP’s

https://spcwater.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/WinterMaintGuidebook.pdf

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Temperature sensors

Pavement temperature key in determining type and amount of deicer
No-contact handheld infrared sensors: inexpensive
Truck-mounted & in-road sensors
Real-time information on conditions:

Surface temperature
Quantity of snow/ice
Quantity of deicer on surface
Grip

Photo: Courtesy Wagner

Photos: Courtesy Vaisala

Weather forecasts report air temperature, which is generally consistent across facilities, but pavement temperature can vary significantly depending on sunlight, shading, and pavement type. When using an application rate chart, pavement temperature is the key factor. There is a variety of different sensors to provide this measurement. A relatively inexpensive method is to use no-contact, handheld infrared sensors like the one shown here in the top picture. For continuous monitoring, there are more sophisticated sensor systems available like the ones in the bottom two pictures. These can provide real-time information about the road surface including temperature, quantity of ice and snow buildup, quantity of deicer and grip. This type of information can be useful for institutions that have remote sites.

References:

Wisconsin Winter Maintenance Manual, Parking Lots, Sidewalks, and Trails

https://www.wisaltwise.com/documents/PDFs/Madison-Parking-Lot-Manual-Final-7-19-2019.pdf

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Storage of plowed snow

Higher concentrations of salt and other pollutants
Melting snow can leak into waterways and wetlands
>100 feet from public and private wells

Photo: J. Latzgo

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Training of staff

Annual training for all staff members
SIMA – Snow and Ice Management Association:

Advanced Snow Manager
Certified Snow Professional

SIMA training webpage

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Evaluation of performance

Constant process

After each winter maintenance event:

Assess performance
Analyze and data
Make necessary adjustments

End of season:

Level of service
Quantity of materials
Labor costs

Analysis drives decisions about future improvements

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Hiring contractors

If your institution hires private contractors, it is important to be aware that different types of contracts can influence the quantity of deicer that is used and whether the contractor can use Best Management Practices. This chart shows some different types of contracts.

In the left column are Time and Material contracts. These are the least effective contracts for reducing the amount of salt used by contractors, because they reduce the amount of money they get if they use less materials. This discourages usage of BMP’s.

Per event contacts permit the contractor to use BMP’s as part of their offered services, but may make it difficult for them to be profitable during years of low snow/ice events.

Seasonal contracts provide contractors the flexibility to use BMP’s while assuring that they will provide service only when and where it’s necessary.

References:

Snow and Ice Management for Parking Lots and Sidewalks: Smart Salt Collaborative:

https://saltsmart.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Salt_Smart_Property_Manager_Booklet_v4_compressed.pdf

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RFP (Request for Proposal) creation

SIMA: Purchasing Snow & Ice Management, Quality RRP Creation and Best Practices

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Sample contracts etc: Wisconsin Salt Wise

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A Success Story: Mayo Clinic

Staff training
Calibration of equipment
Brining:
Spot salting

2018-2019: 93 inches of snow – twice as much as normal
Reduced salt use by 60%
2019-2020 reduced salt use by 72%
Significant cost savings

No difference in winter slip and falls from summer
No damage to landscaping

Mayo Clinic Says “Hold the Salt” Video on YouTube

Let’s look at a success story. In 2016, the Facilities Manager at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota decided to adopt BMP’s due to an excessive salt budget. These included staff training, calibration of equipment, switching to brining, and spot salting. Implementing these practices took two years. During the winter of 2018 to 2019, there were 93 inches of snow which is twice what falls in a normal winter, however, because of BMP’s, the amount of salt applied was reduced by 72%, resulting in significant cost savings. This was done while maintaining safety and there were no more slip and fall accidents than in summertime. There was also no damage to landscaping, significantly reducing expenses for remediation.

To see a video about how this was done, follow this QR code.

References

Mayo Clinic Says “Hold the Salt” YouTube video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_AnOT7AG58

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Snow and Ice Management for Parking Lots and Sidewalks: What do Property Managers Need to Know?

Wisconsin Winter Maintenance Manual, Parking Lots, Sidewalks and Trails

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Questions?

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State-wide network of professionals and volunteers dedicated to reducing road salt in Pennsylvania

Further information on switching to BMP’s:

paroadsaltactionwg@gmail.com