Smart Salting

If you have kept up with the weather recently, you may have heard that this has been Vermont's snowiest December since 2014! While this has brought us plenty of peaceful mornings and beautiful early-season ski days, icy doorsteps and driveways beg the question: "How much salt do I really need?"

Our salt usage at home has a direct impact on the health of our lakes, streams, and wetlands. When the ice and snow melt, they take the salt with them through ditches, storm drains, or straight to the lake. During winter, when the lakes freeze, the phosphorus and chloride carried to the lake build up rather than flowing and flushing out.

A lot of people assume that road crews are the biggest users of salt, but you might be surprised at how much salt the average homeowner uses. Small changes at home can go a long way, so let's talk about what you can do to keep yourself, and our waterways, safe!

Five Easy Ways to Salt Smarter

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1. Shovel First, Salt Second

Salt works on ice, not snow. If you clear the snow quickly with a shovel, you won't need nearly as much salt later on!

2. Use Less Than You Would Think

Most of us use much more than we need without even realizing it. One standard coffee mug of salt can treat an entire 20-foot driveway! Next time you salt, try using a cup or a small shaker instead of spreading it by hand to get a more even cover.

3. Make Sure Your Salt Can Handle the Temps

Regular rock salt stops working at 15 degrees F (which we've seen regularly over the last few weeks). At temperatures below that, no amount of salt will make a difference. In this case, switch to sand, magnesium chloride or calcium chloride products, or a salt-sand mix. Sometimes, you just can't melt every bit of ice; You just have to make it safe enough to walk on.

4. Reuse and Recycle

After your ice is melted, you may still see some salt lying around. Sweep it back into the bag to reuse next time! It's just as effective and will save you a few dollars.

5. Be Smart About Where Your Snowmelt Goes

Snow piles tend to melt into mini rivers and run into ditches and storm drains, taking all of that salt with them. If you can, stack your snow on grass or vegetated areas. This will allow some of the water to be absorbed into the ground as it melts. Try to keep the piles away from slopes towards the road or patches of bare soil.

Let's Do Our Part This Winter

With these steps, you will no longer have to choose safe steps and driveways over clean and healthy water! By salting a little smarter, we can make a huge difference this winter.

If you would like more information about winter salting, check out this awesome webinar by Dr. Kris Stepenuck of Lake Champlain Sea Grant by clicking the button below!

Franklin County Stormwater 2025 Webinar Series- Road Salt Best Practices