Snow Removal

 

Cuyahoga County Salt Program

The Cuyahoga Smart Salt Program is an initiative promoting efficient and environmentally friendly salt use for winter road maintenance. Developed by the Cuyahoga County Service Directors Association, the program aims to reduce overall salt use by 30% to protect the environment and local waterways like Lake Erie from chloride contamination.

Program principles

To reduce salt pollution while maintaining safety, the program encourages a “Sensible Salt” approach based on the following best practices:

• Focus application: Concentrate salt on priority areas, including hills, intersections, curves, and bridges, where traction is most critical.
• Limit salting on non-priority roads: Reduce or eliminate salt on secondary roads, especially during overnight hours.
• Spot salting: Apply salt at strategic intervals (e.g., 150 ft) on main roads rather than continuously spreading it.
• Use the right amount: Over-applying salt is wasteful and doesn’t melt ice faster. For sidewalks, one cup of salt is enough for about 10 standard squares.
• Shovel first: Remove as much snow as possible manually before salting. This makes the de-icer more effective.
• Check temperature: Road salt (sodium chloride) is ineffective below 15°F, so applying it in colder weather is wasteful.
• Use the right type: Different de-icing products work best at various temperatures. Sand can also be used for traction.
• Clean up excess salt: Sweep up any leftover salt after the ice melts to prevent it from washing into storm drains and waterways