Snowflakes add beauty and joy to Minnesota’s winter landscape, but they also create slippery conditions. Unfortunately, the deicing products we use to treat ice often wash into our lakes, streams, wetlands, and groundwater as the snow melts. Common deicers like salt can pollute our waterways—just one teaspoon of salt permanently contaminates five gallons of water. These chemicals harm aquatic life, damage infrastructure, injure vegetation, and even hurt the paws of our pets.
To minimize these impacts, start by shoveling snow before it turns to ice. The more snow you remove manually, the less deicer you’ll need. In many cases, sunlight can handle the rest. If you use salt, focus only on high-traffic areas. Remember, a small amount goes a long way—only 1 to 4 pounds (roughly 1 to 4 coffee mugs) of salt is needed per 1,000 square feet.
Keep in mind that salt becomes less effective as temperatures drop. When pavement temperatures are below 15°F, salt won’t work, so avoid using it. Other deicing products may work at lower temperatures but come with their own environmental concerns. Use all deicers sparingly, and once the snow and ice have cleared, sweep up any leftover materials.
By planning ahead and being patient, we can stay safe during winter while protecting our environment.
