Protect water quality when treating sidewalks for ice

When treating your sidewalks for ice this winter, you can help keep our water clean by applying ice melting products carefully.

Look at the ingredients label to make an environmentally friendly choice. Typically the products will be either a salt (chloride) or an acid (acetate). Salts are generally fine to use, but when over applied, they run off in stormwater and harm plants and soil, and often kill freshwater plants and fish. While acetates are usually more expensive, they are better for the environment and they work better in colder temperatures than salt-based products.

Don't pre-apply deicers while it is still raining or snowing because most of the salt washes away before the rain turns to ice. Deicers work best when there is only a thin layer of snow or ice that must be melted. Shovel as much as you can first, then read the product label and apply only the amount needed.

For more information: Susanne Neely, Communication Coordinator
913-477-7557 • www.ci.lenexa.ks.us

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