As temperatures begin to drop, we may begin to see some ice around College Park. The City uses salt to prevent ice from forming on roadways and sidewalks, but is this something that homeowners also should be using?

There are environmental impacts to using salt. Salt impacts surface waters and accumulates in groundwater. This impacts our drinking water, as well as the streams and other surface waters that animals use for drinking. Salt also depletes oxygen in waterways, making the waterways less hospitable for fish and other aquatic life. Moreover, overuse of salt and other deicers without regard to proper application can reduce the lifespan of concrete, mean sidewalks or driveways will need to be replaced sooner. It is also important to note that deicers do not work more effectively with larger applications – adding extra salt does not make ice and snow melt any faster.

The most environmentally-friendly way to manage snow and ice is to shovel. Shoveling early and repeatedly (depending on weather conditions) can prevent ice from accumulating on surfaces. Another option for small, high traffic areas is to lay out rubber mats, a tarp, or other waterproof material which can then be removed after a storm for ice-free walkways or steps.

According to the Maryland Department of the Environment, deicers should never be applied on top of ice or snow. If there is ice, sand, kitty litter (unscented), or straw can be applied to improve traction on icy areas to help prevent falls, but note that these should also be used sparingly as they get washed into our waterways.

Finally, residents need to shovel sidewalks that abut their property within 24 hours after a winter weather event per City Code.

Resources:

University of Maryland Extension. Melting Ice Safely. Available at: https://extension.umd.edu/resource/melting-ice-safely/

City of College Park. Snow & Ice Removal. Available at: https://www.collegeparkmd.gov/207/Snow-Ice-Removal