The new pre-wet system and a homemade anti-ice applicator are just two of the methods employed by the Spring Grove Public Works crews in combating snow and ice from bonding with the pavement on the roadways. The blending system was assembled for less than $1,000 and can be used by smaller municipalities in their own programs, especially when larger budgets are not available. Photo – Gregory Harutunian/for Chronicle Media

In 2003, Spring Grove’s public works department began searching for cost-effective measures and alternatives to salt costs to treat winter roads from icing over. The experimentation with treatments mixing agricultural byproducts and salt was also pursued by the McHenry County Division of Transportation, eying clean road in their snow and ice removal program.

Spurred by the 2008 road salt shortage, the programs have steadily evolved into an environmentally-safe undertaking. Formal recognition came to both departments, along with Lake In The Hill’s unit, from the Alexandria, Virginia-based Salt Institute through its “2014 Safe and Sustainable Snowfighting Award,” founded on exemplary environmental awareness and storage of winter road salt.

Spring Grove developed its own blending system using a conventional production method, and a cost less than $1,000 to assemble. The importance to the community’s budget are much broader than the approximately $30,000 saved in salt material over the course of the last three years.

“The recognition that we’re getting is representative in that small communities can have success using this method, just like a large municipality with a big budget,” said Matt Wittum, the village’s Public Works Director. “It’s the industry mentality that’s got to change. Two years ago, there was a certification class for snowplow drivers and I was asked to co-teach by bringing some of the experiences we’ve had into the sessions.

“I wanted to bring awareness that any size community, or small municipality, can add an alternative liquid program, saving material costs and maintenance of the equipment.”

With 78 miles of roadway within their jurisdiction, the escalating cost of salt was isolated to factors of dwindling production and the funds needed to import from scattered states and other countries. Alternatives to reduced supplies came during a seminar. “Beet juice,” he said. “Mc Henry County had developed a blend using agricultural by-products, which happened to include beet juice.

“So, we found a supplier, and the president of that company came, saw, and basically, sold. The industry name for the item is GeoMelt 55. We mix a ratio of byproducts at 20%, with the remaining 80% being salt brine.”

Mc Henry County’s blend is called “Super Mix,” containing 80% salt brine with percentages of beet juice and calcium chloride. There is also pre-treated salt, and Wittum said that applications before a storm carry a goal to not let the snow and ice bond with the pavement.

“The generic terms are we’re ‘cranking it out,’ and ‘more is better’ in this case. As the weather gets colder and we use more liquids, we actually turn it up while using the same amount of salt. Traditional methods have an increase in salt usage, as the temps go down…that can be counterproductive and not very cost-effective.”

Wittum’s operating theory came from statements by a Mc Henry county water resource manager, showing that one tablespoon of salt can contaminate 5 gallons of pure water. The implication was to convey the ratio to a truck and its capacity, along with the amount of salt tossed onto the roadways.

“Just what’s there can cause a lot of environmental damage…going into the culverts, washes, eventually leading to a potential invasion of the water table itself. Some area wells already reflect elevated amounts of salt,” he said. “Minimizing impact through the blending program reduces harmful damage to the environment making it almost a priority for advantage.”

Village officials have applauded the department’s efforts, and view the prestigious award as a benchmark. “We are all so pleased their work has been rewarded with recognition, and is well deserved,” said Deputy Village Clerk Laura Frumet. “They’ve moved forward, trying to find ways to improve road safety, and public safety, in winter conditions.

The department’s fleet is comprised of one truck with a 75-gallon tank, with an additional 1,100 of bulk storage capability for liquid, and seven front-line vehicles, all with tanks capacities ranging from 75-135 gallons. The main factor is 6,000 gallons of storage for blended product. When Wittum started, there was only one truck capable of dispensing liquid. In 2012, they used 17,000 gallons of blended liquid.

Current prices for industrial grade road salt this season carry a $61.39 per ton price tag, with treated salt pegged at $77,83 per ton. “Salt is a commodity like oil, supply and demand dictate where the price ends,” Wittum said. “And reducing those costs brought a happy union with the reduced environmental impact of employing blended liquids.”