Des Moines Share New Public Works Facility Worth Its Salt 'Millions In Savings'

Press release from the City of Des Moines:

February 18, 2021

Des Moines, Iowa —This winter, the Des Moines Public Works Department has been utilizing its new salt storage facility on E 22nd Street in Des Moines that’s expected to save the City a massive amount of time, trucking and salt purchasing costs.

“Instead of storing our salt at a regional facility and trucking it in as we need it, we’re now able to store a year’s worth of salt right here in Des Moines,” Public Works Director Jonathan Gano said. "That alone saves us roughly $250,000 in trucking costs, plus the employee productivity we save by not having to truck the salt into town."

Other benefits of the facility include the ability to purchase salt in the summer when prices are better due to lower demand levels.

"This facility has really increased our ability to serve the residents of Des Moines more efficiently," Gano said. "The great thing is that we expect the savings the facility gives us to pay off the costs of construction within four years. That's an incredible return on investment and a way that we can more efficiently use our resources to continue to keep Des Moines roads safe all winter long."

Des Moines residents can stay prepared for winter weather all season long at DMSnow.org or by following @dmdpw on Twitter and Des Moines Public Works on Facebook. Residents can also sign up for winter parking restriction alerts by texting DMSNOW to 96000.

This press release was produced by the City of Des Moines. The views expressed here are the author’s own.