City Of Golden Valley Makes Reducing Pollutants A Priority When Treating Roads

From the City of Golden Valley:

December 13, 2019

In an attempt to lower its impact on the environment, City plows crews made an effort to reduce the amount of de-icing chemicals used on Golden Valley roads last winter, compared to the year before. Depending on weather conditions this winter, crews hope to continue the trend.

City crews use a number of de-icing solutions to combat the ice and snow, including road salt, brine (a mixture of 23.3 percent salt and water), calcium chloride, AMP (additives that melt more ice in colder temperatures), and more.

Unfortunately, these de-icing chemicals impact local waterways and habitats and are harmful to fish and plants. Melted snow and ice carry these chemicals through storm sewers, leading to streams, rivers, and lakes. To help protect local habitats, the City has significantly changed how it clears roads of ice and snow (see table).

For more information on snow and ice removal in Golden Valley, visit the City website.

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