The Town of Parry Sound is undertaking a pilot project this winter, and will evaluate the use of a salt brine and beet juice liquid de-icing product as part of its winter control operations.
Staff said the product is intended to supplement conventional dry salt use. It can be applied to road salt as its being discharged from winter maintenance vehicles, or applied directly to the roadway.
According to staff, the pilot will provide an opportunity to assess the operational suitability of the product and supporting equipment under local winter conditions. Evaluation will include material consumption, reductions in dry-salt use, application performance, route and pavement conditions, operator feedback, equipment maintenance requirements, costs, and any observed environmental impacts.
At a meeting on Sept. 1, council approved a request to install a salt brine system at the public works yard, at a cost of $18,000.
