Story posted Thursday, January 21, 2010
Salt Supply Safe
Usage Down Thanks To Juice Mix, Moderate Winter So Far
By TIM O'CONNOR Journal & Topics Reporter
Mixing the village's road salt supplies with a beet juice-based liquid has saved Arlington Hts. thousands of dollars, according to a village official.
"We basically have cut our salt usage close to 30%," said Scott Rowader, street unit foreman and snow commander.
Just two years ago it took 800 lbs. of salt to cover a mile of road. Now, Rowader said it takes only about 500 lbs. with the salt-liquid mix.
That means the village has been able to order less salt each winter.
Rowader said 3,500 tons of salt have been used during 13 snow events so far this year. That leaves another 3,500 tons in stock with the ability to order more if the village runs out.
Compare that to two years ago when the village used nearly 12,000 tons of salt. It was after that rough winter that the Public Works Department switched to the salt-liquid mix.
The change means only 6,700 tons of salt were used during the 2008-2009 winter instead of 8,000 tons. Rowader said it was a considerable savings since salt can cost upwards of $60 a ton.
He said the village's salt supply was in good shape going into the final months of winter.
"The two toughest months generally are December and January," Rowader said. "We're hoping we'll have a winter more like last year. Nobody can predict that though."
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