Region of Waterloo warns about over-salting this winter
The Region of Waterloo is reminding business owners to start winterizing their property while avoiding over-salting surfaces.
Using too much salt can damage property, according to the region, and it can get into the drinking water which could create health concerns for people who are on salt-restricted diets.
The region suggests using about a quarter cup of salt per square metre.
“Anything more than that you actually increase the slip and fall risk to some degree because the grains of salt are so slippery,” said manager of hydrogeology and source water protection with the region, Eric Hodgins. “Every over-application, every use of salt, some of it spills onto the grass into the garden area. It will damage your trees and shrubs.”
There are alternatives to using salt in the winter. The region recommends taking measures to prevent ice from forming, such as having eaves troughs drained onto grass and not on the concrete.
“Pavement condition effects things. If it’s really uneven parking lot, you’re putting more salt on because it will roll across the parking lot to those low areas and then those high areas don’t get the salt that they need,” Hodgins said.
Carmine Caccioppoli, co-owner of Vincenzo’s in Waterloo, said he usually throws salt on the ground around his business in the winter to help keep the area clear of ice.
“With a lot of customers, longtime customers, who are little bit older, getting access and coming into the store, is always something we want to keep clear,” Caccioppoli said.
He said while he understands too much salt isn’t good for the environment, he will continue to lay it down to keep customers safe.
“There is a fine line of over salting and under salting,” he said. “Because as soon as someone slips and falls the first thing that’s going to be asked from our insurance company ‘is did you regularly salt?”
The region said if business owners follow their tips, there will be less ice build-up and therefore less salt will be needed.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
BREAKING McGill University seeks emergency injunction to remove pro-Palestinian encampment from campus
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Friday that Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
More than half the Canadians once detained in Syrian camps for suspected ISIS family members have returned home
A total of 29 Canadians have been freed from detention camps in northeast Syria and brought back to Canada since human rights advocates began lobbying for their release years ago.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.