Managing Salt Impacted Water at Maintenance Yards

The Code of Practice for the Environmental Management of Road Salt recommends that Best Management Practices be developed that target three objectives. One of the identified objectives is improved salt storage and associated salt handling practices with the goal of reducing salt impacts to the surrounding environment. Salt impacts to the environment from a patrol yard can result from the release of dry (bulk) salt, a spill of liquid (brine) material and the poor management of salt impacted washwater and stormwater. A number of options are available to improve the management of salt and reduce its impact on the environment. Improving the management of dry (bulk) salt and liquid (brine) materials generally yields good results. This involves providing training, implementing good housekeeping practices, storing and handling all salt under cover and ensuring all material is contained and secure. The management of washwater and stormwater generated at patrol yards is generally a longer-term initiative and can involve a significant investment. The focus of this paper is to discuss the various site mitigation design alternatives that can be applied at maintenance yards to effectively manage salt impacted water and thus minimize and manage any salt releases to the environment. The goal of reducing salt impacts to the environment will only be met if both short and long-term options are implemented to manage the dry and liquid material sources and the washwater and stormwater streams.