Stormwater Pollution Solutions for Winter

Frozen ground it acts as a hard surface much like asphalt or concrete so it can’t soak up water very well. Pollutants accumulate in snow banks and ice all winter long, and when the weather warms, they are washed into the Chagrin River and ultimately Lake Erie. You can help reduce the amount of pollution getting into our water by taking the following easy steps:

Be careful with salt application and consider alternate deicing methods. Salt alternatives like potassium acetate (KA), calcium magnesium acetate (CMA), or sand are less damaging to landscaping. If you do apply salt, shovel first and apply minimally. Mixing salt with natural substances like beet juice can increase the salt’s effectiveness at lower temperatures, reducing the amount of salt needed.

Be mindful of garage rinsing! Residue left from de-icing materials and other road pollutants drips from your car onto the garage floor. Your garage runoff likely drains into a storm sewer drain or ditch; therefore, the pollutants from your garage get flushed into streams and eventually into Lake Erie. Take your car to a commercial car wash where the drains flow to water treatment areas.

Watch your waste! Pet waste can be a significant source of harmful bacteria. It accumulates on the surface and is then washed directly into stormwater systems during melt periods, sending a large amount of potentially dangerous bacteria and excessive nutrients to the Chagrin River.