We all want to prioritize safety, but it is critical to understand that more salt does not always mean less ice or safer conditions. There are actions we can take to help improve water quality. Small adjustments and proper winter maintenance plans add up on any property. For example, just a few years ago, the Mayo Clinic located in Rochester was able to reduce their salt use by a whopping 60%. Not only protecting the environment, infrastructure and plant life, but simultaneously saving the facility a significant amount of money on winter maintenance all while increasing safety. Some of their actions included training all maintenance staff and contractors on smart salting practices, removing salt barrels near doorways, replacing large salt scoops with smaller cups, and using granite chips when temperatures dip below 15 degrees.
