Road salt and deicing chemicals contain chloride, which is toxic to fish and plants. Melting snow and ice carry these chemicals into stormsewers, which lead directly to rivers, lakes and wetlands. Once there, the chloride is nearly impossible to remove from these waterbodies.

There is no such thing as an environmentally friendly salt or deicer. No matter what the label on a snow-melt product says, all salt and deicing chemicals are harmful to aquatic plants and wildlife. Avoid using them whenever possible. (Photo: MPCA)

Shovel early and often during a snowstorm so that the snow doesn’t have time to become compacted and/or turn to ice. The more snow you remove by shoveling or snow-blowing, the less ice you’ll have to deal with later.

Don’t limit yourself to just one snow-removal tool. Your local hardware store is likely to carry a variety of push shovels, scoop shovels, ice chisels and ice scrapers. There are many types of snow, slush and ice, so having a couple of different tools on hand never hurts.

Salt and deicers only work in certain temperature ranges. Traditional road salt (sodium chloride) doesn’t work below 15 degrees F. Other products have different melting temperatures (see our comparison chart). Always check the temperature and read the label on your deicer product carefully to make sure it will work under the relevant weather conditions.

Use sand when it’s too cold for salt to work. Sprinkle just enough to provide traction on walkways. Sweep up any excess after the ice melts so that it doesn’t get carried into stormdrains. (Photo: Clean Water MN)

If you must apply salt or deicer, do it after the storm is finished. Clear off any loose and/or compacted snow first. Apply the product on ice only; do not apply it on dry pavement.

Temperatures often drop after a snowstorm, so double-check the label on your salt or deicer product to make sure it will work before you apply it. (Photo: Clean Water MN)

To reduce waste and maximize effectiveness, scatter your salt or deicer so that there is about three inches of space between the salt granules. For $10–$20, a hand spreader can make the job easier and more accurate.

More salt does not equal faster melting — just more pollution and wasted money. Scatter your salt or deicer sparingly, and only in critical areas. (Photo: Scott Andre)

When you see salt or sand on dry pavement, sweep it up. It's not doing anybody any good once the ice is gone. You can put it in the garbage, or save it and reuse it later.

Salt and sand left on hard surfaces will eventually end up getting washed into stormsewers and out into rivers, lakes and wetlands. (Photo: Clean Water MN)