Environmental Best Practices for Deicer Application

Use with EBOM SSc2

Use this strategy page to support compliance with the deicing component of LEED-EBOM SSc2: Building Exterior and Hardscape Management Plan, or simply as a guide to best pratices for deicing at your facility. See that credit page for additional guidance and resources.

Storing snow uphill of a salt pile is a common mistake. Photo from the Minnesota Winter Parking Lot and Sidewalk Maintenance Manual (see Resources tab)

Storage

• Store salt in an area where you can recover the solids after the snow melts. 
• Locate snow down-slope from salt and sand storage to prevent snow melt from flowing through salt or sand storage area. 
• Store salt where rain, snow and melt water cannot access it. Store salt on an impervious surface.
• Cover all piles, ideally indoors. 
• Sweep loading areas back into the pile to reduce leaching. 
• Store bags away from rain or snow. 

Anti-Icing

• Anti-icing—a proactive approach—should be first in a series of strategies for each winter storm. By applying a small and strategic...