February 22, 2017 – Private and municipal winter maintenance crews will learn how to properly apply salt to parking lots, sidewalks, roads and driveways during a free workshop this Friday hosted by the City of Madison, Dane County, and the Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District. The workshop will be the first step in planning a voluntary road salt applicator certification program through the City of Madison. The city will be developing the program in 2017 as a way for private businesses and municipal agencies to show their commitment to protecting the environment while ensuring public safety.
 
Increasing road salt use is adding up to a growing environmental problem in our area. Chloride, one of the two chemicals that make up salt, has infiltrated our lakes, streams, marshes, and even a handful of municipal drinking water wells. Every year, more than 650,000 tons of salt are spread on Wisconsin highways alone, enough to pollute almost a half-trillion gallons of water.
 
The winter maintenance workshop will take place on Friday, February 24, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at 1610 Moorland Road (Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District Maintenance Facility).
 
Interested media should arrive around 12:30 and can interview participants and city officials at the end of the training.