Register to Salt Smart this season here!

Why Salt Smart?

Across Wisconsin and much of the United States, rock salt is used to assist the melting of snow and ice along roadways, sidewalks, driveways and parking lots. As the snow and ice melt, the dissolved salt is transported to our waterways through runoff, or deposited into our groundwater, causing chloride levels to rise. Excess levels of chloride can have a variety of negative impacts. By being mindful of our salt application practices, we can continue to maintain safe driving conditions and while also protecting our environment, waterways and infrastructure. 

Learn more about the impacts of oversalting at WiSaltWise.com

Are you Salt Smart?

As winter fast approaches, we've all gotten the shovels down from the garage rafters and are thinking about stocking up on sidewalk salt or Ice-Melt. Have you ever considered what kind of Ice-Melt you are using, how much to use, and how it affects the environment? The City of La Crosse is here to provide you with information on the best practices for snow and ice control.

1. Shovel - Clear walkways and other areas before the snow turns to ice. The more snow you remove manually, the less salt you will have to use and the more effective it will be. 

2. Scatter - If you use salt, scatter it so that there is space between the grains. Believe it or not, a coffee mug of salt is enough to treat an entire 20-foot driveway, or 10 sidewalk squares. 

3. Switch - When pavement temperatures drop below 15 degrees, salt won't work. At those temperatures, switch to sand for better traction, or a different ice-melt that is designed for lower temps. 

Note: Consider our four-legged friends and look for pet-friendly ice-melt this winter. Also, be aware that many ice-melt products cause damage to plants, even though the plant is in a dormant state. Be careful when applying the product around landscaped areas or flower beds. 

Benefits of Brine

Have you ever seen lines running up and down city streets before a winter storm? These are brine lines. Brine is a solution of salt and water with a freezing point lower than water alone, which can reduce snow and ice adhering to road surfaces.

Brine uses much less salt than traditional rock salt. As a result, brine can cover and treat the same amount of area using a fraction of the salt that would typically be used. 

The City of La Crosse Street Department applies brine prior to snowfall as a preventative on hills, bridges and curves. Learn more about the Street Department's Snow & Ice Control Plan here. City streets are not the only place that brine can be applied! You can create your own solution at home to use on your sidewalks, driveways and other hard surfaces that may benefit from ice prevention. Follow the simple recipe below to create your own brine solution this winter. 

Making your own Brine at home: 

You will need the following supplies to create your own brine solution at home: 2-gallon pump sprayer, rock salt, measuring cup, bucket, and hot water. 

Step 1: Heat 1-2 gallons of water, depending on how much area you'd like to treat. 

Step 2: Measure out 3.5 cups of rock salt per gallon into your bucket. 

Step 3: Carefully pour hot water into the same bucket as your rock salt. 

Step 4: Mix the salt and water vigorously until all of the salt is dissolved, let the water cool. 

Step 5: Transfer the solution to your pump sprayer (tip: you may want to use a strainer to keep any chunks out!)

Tips for making and applying brine: 

• Consider using an EPA approved Safer Choice salt or de-icing product to make your brine! 
• Avoid application if rain is forecasted before snow. 
• Apply the brine with a sprayer in a back and forth motion, creating dispersed lines across the pavement
• Apply brine up to 24-48 hours before a winter storm is predicted

Safer Choice Salt

When buying salt or ice melt, look for the Safer Choice label. Click here to search for an EPA approved Safer Choice de-icing product.

Where to buy Safer Choice de-icing options:
Safe Paw (Home Depot)
Snow Joe Melt (Sam's Club; also available at Home Depot)
GroundWorks Natural Ice Melter (Can also be found at Walmart, potassium formula)
All Natural Armor at Home Depot

Want to learn more about being Salt Wise?  Visit WI Salt Wise, a coalition of organizations from across Wisconsin working together to reduce salt pollution in lakes, streams, and drinking water. Their primary goals are to: educate residents, leaders, and winter maintenance professionals on salt pollution and solutions; provide training and promote best practices to reduce salt pollution; and recognize contractors committed to using the right amount of salt for conditions.