News Flash Home
The original item was published from 1/7/2019 3:08:37 PM to 1/8/2023 12:00:03 AM.

News Flash

General Press Releases

Posted on: January 7, 2019

[ARCHIVED] Westmont Practices Environmental-Friendly Snow and Ice Removal

Westmont, Illinois
Date Issued: January 7, 2019


While we haven’t had much snow and ice yet this winter, the Village of Westmont would like to remind residents about the importance of proper and responsible salt usage.  According to a 2012 report from the Illinois State Water Survey, chloride concentrations in Illinois waterways have been steadily increasing since the 1960’s.  Much of the increase can be attributed to road salts that are used in the winter to melt snow from sidewalks, driveways, and roads.  These chlorides never fully dissipate when stormwater runoff carries road salt into storm drains and streams.  Once in the water, there is no way to remove the chloride, which can become harmful for fish and plant life.  It takes only one teaspoon of road salt to permanently pollute five gallons of water.

Below are some tips provided by the County of DuPage Stormwater Management Department to help ensure that we are all doing our part to address this situation:
  • Remove snow prior to applying a deicer.
  • Use just enough deicer to reduce safety hazard.
  • Sweep up and properly storing road salt after a snow storm for reuse.
  • Use alternative methods, such as a beet juice derivative, to minimize the formation of ice.
  • Use a hand-held spreader to apply a consistent amount.
  • Use less than 4 pounds of salt per 1,000 square feet (an average parking space is about 150 square feet). One pound of salt is approximately a heaping 12-ounce coffee mug. Remember, more salt does not mean more melting.
  • Share your knowledge about the impacts chlorides have on our local waterways.

Westmont Public Works continually strives to employ the latest techniques and practices to manage snow and ice removal in an environmentally-safe manner.  The Village of Westmont is a member of both the DuPage River Salt Creek Workgroup (www.drscw.org) and the Lower Des Plaines Watershed Workgroup (www.lowerdesplaineswatershed.org). Each workgroup, consisting of municipalities and sanitary districts, is tasked with monitoring the health of the river. The workgroups evaluate the condition of the river and make recommendations to help improve the river to ensure it meets current EPA mandates.

For more information regarding proper snow and ice removal, please watch this video -  www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3Jf97BrzMc 



###


Contact: Larry McIntyre
Village of Westmont
Communications Director/Public Information Officer
630-417-0280
lmcintyre@westmont.il.gov

Facebook Twitter Email

Other News in General Press Releases

2023 Taste of Westmont

Posted on: June 2, 2023

Cruisin’ Nights Kickoff June 1

Posted on: May 4, 2023

2023 Community Garage Sale August 4-6

Posted on: April 14, 2023

West Quincy Streetscape Project

Posted on: April 19, 2023

Water and Garbage Rate Update

Posted on: April 21, 2023

Mulch Volcanoes May Harm Your Trees

Posted on: April 20, 2023

Trustees Sworn Into Office

Posted on: May 5, 2023

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Posted on: April 6, 2023

Westmont Compost Program

Posted on: April 11, 2023

2023 No Mow ‘til Mother’s Day

Posted on: April 18, 2023

2023-2024 Village Budget Presentation

Posted on: April 14, 2023

Fire Department Safety Update

Posted on: April 4, 2023

Call 811 JULIE Before You Dig

Posted on: March 23, 2023

Chief Riley Recognizes Fire Personnel

Posted on: March 10, 2023

METRA Launches metratracker.com

Posted on: January 18, 2023