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| − | ===Background Information=== | + | [[file:Winter maintenance manual logo.png|thumb|300px|alt=image of winter maintenance manual]] |
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| − | ====Good Business Choices====
| + | The Winter Parking Lot and Sidewalk Maintenance Manual delivers practical advice to those managing parking lots and sidewalks. The manual helps to make proactive, cost-effective, environmentally conscious choices in winter parking lot and sidewalk management. This knowledge will provide the opportunity to become a leader in the industry by operating more efficiently and reducing environmental impacts. A single approach will not work for the range of conditions Minnesota experiences; different strategies are needed for different regions and different weather conditions. We encourage continuing to test, document, and refine the practices from this manual. |
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| − | Customer service is the key to success. Best Management Practices (BMP) keep parking lots and sidewalks safe and also reduce environmental impacts. Educating customers on the proper methods of snow removal and ice control (and of the value of this approach) can create a good and long-standing relationship.
| + | The manual was developed in 2006 and underwent revisions in 2010 and 2015. The information in the manual has been reorganized and reformatted for inclusion in the Minnesota Stormwater Manual. As a result, the manual was organized into several pages that address specific topics and are linked to each other. These pages can also be viewed as a single page. The 2015 Winter Parking Lot and Sidewalk Maintenance Manual can also be accessed as a [https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/parkinglotmanual.pdf pdf document]. |
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| − | Customers want reliable service. Providing a well-planned and well-executed winter maintenance program will have a positive impact. Using the latest technologies will increase the abilty to provide reliable service.
| + | [[Acknowledgements for Winter Parking Lot and Sidewalk Maintenance Manual|Acknowledgements]] |
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| − | Customers want to hire educated winter maintenance professionals. This maunal will provide the necessary information to increase staff knowledge on the best practices for winter maintenance.
| + | *[[Background information for winter parking lot and sidewalk maintenance]] |
| | + | *[[Preparing for winter operations for winter parking lot and sidewalk maintenance]] |
| | + | *[[Keeping surfaces clear for winter parking lot and sidewalk maintenance]] |
| | + | *[[Evaluating the effectiveness for winter parking lot and sidewalk maintenance]] |
| | + | *[[Environmental tips for winter parking lot and sidewalk maintenance]] |
| | + | *[[Cost savings tips for winter parking lot and sidewalk maintenance]] |
| | + | *[[Results and evaluation for winter parking lot and sidewalk maintenance]] |
| | + | *[[Material conversions for winter parking lot and sidewalk maintenance]] |
| | + | *[[References for winter parking lot and sidewalk maintenance]] |
| | + | *[[Additional resources and links to websites for winter parking lot and sidewalk maintenance]] |
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| − | '''Using the right amount of material at the right time, will save time and money.'''
| + | To view the above pages as a single document, [[Winter parking lot and sidewalk maintenance combined|click here]] |
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| − | '''Certification in Smart Salting is a good reflection on the professional and the organization.'''
| + | [[Category:Level 2 - Management/Winter management]] |
| − | | + | [[Category:Level 2 - Pollutants/Chloride]] |
| − | Customers and the public want safe parking lots and sidewalks. Understanding the materials, weather and application rates, provide a head start on controlling icy, slippery parking lots, and sidewalks.
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| − | Clean and neat parking lots and sidewalks are important to the public. By using less material and increased winter sweeping, pedestrians will track less material into buildings and there will be less damage to flooring. Proper snow storage makes debris removal in the spring easier. Covered storage of deicers will reduce loss of material, protect water, and is more aesthetic. Using BMPs and lower application rates will keep parking lots and sidewalks looking neat.
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| − | Customers also want affordable snow and ice control. The use of sophisticated chemicals and equipment may require a larger budget up-front; however, these costs can be balanced by reduced on-going costs. Reducing the need for sweeping, floor and rug maintenance, parking lot striping, and snow and ice maintenance time will allow for cost savings.
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| − | Minnesotan’s value water resources and the protection of lakes, streams, and wetlands is important. Educating customers how sustainable winter maintenance protects water resources is necessary.
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| − | '''Using less material is an effective approach to protecting our water resources. It is difficult to recover salt or sand once applied.'''
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| − | ====Water and Environmental Impacts ====
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| − | *Only 2.5% of all of the water on this planet is freshwater (not saltwater). Of that, less than 1% is available for use. The majority of the freshwater is frozen in the glaciers (Freshwater Crisis n.d.).
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| − | [[File:Available water.PNG|right|thumb|300 px|alt=This graph illustrates available water|<font size=3>Available water</font size>]] | |
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| − | *Water is recycled over long periods of time. There is a limited supply of water on this planet. Water is reused, recycled and dispersed as illustrated below from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), “[http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/healthyrivers/index.html Healthy Rivers: a Water Course]” (Healthy Rivers 2004).
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| − | [[File:Water cycle.PNG|right|thumb|300 px|alt=This graph illustrates the water cycle|<font size=3>Water cycle</font size>]]
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| − | Chloride concentrations are increasing in many surface waters and groundwater across Minnesota.
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| − | *In the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area (TCMA), of surface water bodies tested, 39 are on the [https://www.pca.state.mn.us/water/minnesotas-impaired-waters-list draft 2014 impaired waters list] for chloride exceedances and [http://mpca.maps.arcgis.com/home/webmap/viewer.html?webmap=c87ebeedcfca49f2a272bff89cd20baf&extent=-94.7461,44.2747,-91.8979,45.6985 38 more are found to be at high risk] as of July 2015. ([https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/wq-iw11-06ff.pdf MPCA 2015]). Salts (chloride) dissolve in water and move with the water to nearby lakes, streams, and wetlands and also infiltrate into groundwater.
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| − | *Chloride is virtually a permanent pollutant that does not degrade and cannot be removed from surface waters. Once in the water, it continues to accumulate in the environment over time.
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| − | *Salt water is heavier than freshwater and may sink to the bottom of lakes. This may cause chemical stratification of the lake and loss of or changes in lake turn over ([http://www.lrrb.org/media/reports/200842.pdf Stefan et al. 2008]).
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| − | [[File:Saline water intrusion into a lake.PNG|right|thumb|300 px|alt=This graph illustrates theSaline water intrusion into a lake|<font size=3>Saline water intrusion into a lake</font size>]] | |
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| − | *Thirty percent of the 270 shallow aquifer monitoring wells tested in the TCMA exceeded the state chloride standard. ([https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/wq-am1-06.pdf MPCA 2013]).
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| − | *About 75% of Minnesotans rely on groundwater for drinking water. The MPCA has found 30% of the shallow monitoring wells, often found in urban areas, have exceeded the state standard for salt levels. As water moves from shallow to deeper aquifers, the salt contamination could penetrate sources of drinking water ([https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/wq-am1-06.pdf MPCA 2013]).
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| − | *The average salt use in the TCMA based on purchasing records is 349,000 tons per year ([https://conservancy.umn.edu/bitstream/handle/11299/115332/pr503.pdf?sequence=1 Sander et al. 2007]).
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| − | [[File:Concentration of lake chloride inTC lakes and rock salt purchases by MN.PNG|right|thumb|300 px|alt=This graph illustrates the Concentration of lake chloride in Twin City lakes and rock salt purchases by State of MN|<font size=3>Concentration of lake chloride in Twin City lakes and rock salt purchases by State of MN</font size>]]
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| − | [[File:Distribution of road salt use in Twin cities area.PNG|right|thumb|300 px|alt=This graph illustrates the Distribution of road salt use in Twin cities area|<font size=3>Distribution of road salt use in Twin cities area</font size>]]
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| − | Deicers can be very damaging to both soil and vegetation. Efforts to keep salt off vegetation are needed: drive slower when applying deicers, turn down spinner speed to reduce spread pattern, use drop spreaders on sidewalks, store snow piles on hard surfaces, and reduce application rates. One source of information about salt-tolerant plants is the Plant Selector from Minnesota Department of Transportation.
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| − | [[File:Witches broom branching from salt spray.PNG|right|thumb|300 px|alt=This photo shows Witches broom branching from salt spray|<font size=3>Witches broom branching from salt spray</font size>]]
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| − | ====Impacts of Materials====
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| − | Abrasives and deicers cause problems to infrastructure, drainage, water, vegetation, and soils when used in large quantities.
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| − | Abrasives: Winter Sand
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| − | *Runs off parking lots with water to the nearest storm drain entering lakes, wetlands, streams, and rivers.
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| − | *Fills in surface water bodies, accelerating the aging process.
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| − | *Covers habitat and disrupts the food chain.
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| − | *Irritates the gills of fish.
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| − | *Clogs and disrupts the flow of water in storm drain systems.
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| − | '''Deicers are not "environmentally safe" regardless of what the bag says.'''
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| − | Chlorides commonly used for deicing are Sodium Chloride (road salt), Magnesium Chloride, Calcium Chloride, and Potassium Chloride.
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| − | *Road salt is the least expensive and most widely used deicer.
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| − | *Salt is corrosive to steel.
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| − | *Some have corrosion inhibitors and anti-caking agents added that are often toxic.
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| − | *Frequently damage plants through contact or by interfering with soil properties.
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| − | *Salt can cause soil to lose its ability to retain water, leading to soil erosion.
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| − | *Excess salt can make soil more alkaline and compact, and less permeable, making it more difficult to store nutrients that plants need to grow.
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| − | *Cannot be removed by stormwater ponds or rain gardens.
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| − | *Cannot be removed from the lakes, wetlands and rivers.
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| − | *Are persistent pollutants and will not break down over time.
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| − | '''About one teaspoon of salt can pollute five gallons of water. This applies to all chloride containing deicers.'''
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| − | Acetates:
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| − | *Are non-chloride compounds.
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| − | *Are an organic substance.
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| − | *When added to water, compete with aquatic life for oxygen.
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| − | *Contribute nutrients which promote algal blooms in lakes and ponds.
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| − | *Most of the problems they cause in the water are relatively short term, but severe.
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| − | *Are usually safer for vegetation.
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| − | *Are less corrosive than salts.
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| − | *Have the potential to be treated by stormwater BMPs.
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| − | '''Acetates can have a high biological oxygen demand (BOD), and can contribute to oxygen depletion in soil and water. Use carefully.'''
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| − | Plant-based additives (beet, corn, molasses):
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| − | *These additives do not contribute chloride to water but contribute nutrients (fertilizer).
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| − | *Cause an increase aquatic plant and algae growth.
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| − | *Use up oxygen in the lake or water body as they decompose.
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| − | *Serious impacts but not as long-lasting as chloride.
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| − | '''One lb. of phosphorus encourages growth of up to 500 lbs. of algae. Phosphorus is in plant-based products.'''
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| − | Twin Cities Metropolitan Area Chloride (TCMA) Management Plan
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| − | There are two primary sources of chloride to Minnesota water resources: 1) salt applied to roads, parking lots, and sidewalks for deicing; and 2) water softener brine discharges to municipal wastewater treatment plants ([https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/wq-iw11-06ff.pdf MPCA 2015]). To address chloride impacts to Minnesota water resources, the MPCA worked with local stakeholders to develop a [https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/wq-iw11-06ff.pdf Chloride Manageme6nt Plan] designed specifically to minimize chloride use across the seven counties of the metropolitan area. This plan is intended to be useful for all winter maintenance practices. The plan can be located on the MPCA’s website: [https://www.pca.state.mn.us/water/road-salt-and-water-quality http://www.pca.state.mn.us/programs/roadsalt.html]
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| − | '''1 ton of rock salt ($50) causes greater than $1,450 in corrosion damage to bridges. (Sohanghpurwala 2008)'''
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| − | '''Fathead Minnows will die if exposed to chloride concentrations of 443 mg/l for more than 30 days (Axler n.d.)'''
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| − | ===Prepare for Winter Operations===
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| − | ====Policies/Plans====
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| − | Start now—develop a maintenance policy or plan that guides winter operations. A little planning and communication up-front can help achieve better results throughout the season.
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| − | *Develop a maintenance policy or plan.
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| − | *Review the maintenance policy with the crew.
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| − | *Inform customers of the maintenance policy.
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| − | *In the plan:
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| − | **list the key actions to take during a winter event
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| − | **list the order of these actions
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| − | **address the level of service
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| − | ***consider customer expectations, the hours and use of the building, priority access points and environmental concerns in the policy
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| − | **spell out any additional strategies such as routes, chemicals, application rate ranges etc.
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| − | *Follow the plan.
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| − | *Document actions.
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| − | *Review and update the maintenance policy each year.
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| − | '''Our waters are threatened by contracts which are based on fees for material use. This encourages overuse of materials.'''
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| − | '''Reduce liability. Establish a maintenance policy and follow it.'''
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| − | ====Training====
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| − | Reduce risk by having a solid written winter maintenance policy and training program that utilizes best management practices. Schedule training for supervisors, staff, and customers.
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| − | The MPCA has three Smart Salting training classes available:
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| − | #Level 1 Winter maintenance of roads
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| − | #Level 1 Winter maintenance of parking lots/sidewalks
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| − | #Level 2 winter maintenance training for supervisory staff
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| − | Check the MPCA website to find out about upcoming training opportunities. [www.pca.state.mn.us/programs/roadsalt.html]
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