In Quebec they use sand, I don't see why that can't just be done here, it's not like it's a major change to the equipment or anything.

Blame corporations for applying obscene amounts of salts to prevent liability issues. The place I used to work at would put down so much everyday it was like walking on rocks. The entire sidewalk and parking lot.

When I lived in Calgary they used beet juice and it worked fine.

Curious, do they use Sodium Chloride or Magnesium Chloride or something else?

This is the best summary I could come up with:

The move to reduce the amount of road salt during the winter months can't wait because Ontario's groundwater and lakes are showing "very rapid salinization," researchers at the University of Waterloo say.

"We actually use a lot of of salt, and salt is a very effective way to keep roads, sidewalks and parking lots free of ice, and that, of course, is important in terms of ensuring the safety of road users and pedestrians," said Philippe Van Cappellen, a professor and researcher at the school, as well as the Canada Excellence Research Chair Laureate in Ecohydrology

Most recently, Van Cappellen was part of a research group that looked specifically at Lake Wilcox in Richmond Hill.

Van Cappellen said he wants local municipalities to talk about their road salt use, setting targets such as reducing its use by 25 per cent in the next five years.

David Pressey, the Region of Waterloo's manager of transportation operations, said the muniipality has been aware of concerns about the use of road salt and has actively worked to decrease its use.

The region will lay down a brine solution when it learns a storm is coming, helping reduce the amount of rock salt spread during plowing.

The original article contains 655 words, the summary contains 196 words. Saved 70%. I'm a bot and I'm open source!