After a recent snowfall, road salt usage has restarted in Calgary following concerns raised in a report from last year. The report linked the city’s use of sodium chloride to the rupture of its largest water feeder. The incident in June 2024 led to a local state of emergency being declared due to water restrictions.
The investigation into the water feeder break identified several probable causes, including microcracking in the protective mortar, snapped wires from corrosion cracking, and elevated chloride levels in the soil, likely from road de-icing activities using sodium chloride.
Chris Hewitt, the city’s mobility maintenance manager, emphasized that sodium chloride remains the preferred winter road maintenance product in Calgary due to its effectiveness and widespread use across North America. The city uses around 40,000 to 50,000 tonnes of road salt annually, with a history of using sodium chloride for over two decades.
Alternative de-icing materials used in Calgary include calcium chloride and a mixture of sand and salt called “pickle.” A pilot project introduced beet brine, a blend of beet extract and salt brine, for downtown winter maintenance, which although effective, is deemed more costly.
In comparison, Lincoln, Neb., employs a beet brine solution for all winter road maintenance, citing reduced infrastructure and environmental damage. The City of Calgary is examining the impact of de-icing materials on buried infrastructure, with plans to share findings on corrosion mitigation strategies in the coming months.
City councillors are exploring various options for winter road maintenance, including adjusting sodium chloride concentrations. While recognizing the benefits of alternative de-icing agents, councillors acknowledge the challenges and costs associated with shifting away from road salt entirely.
The repair costs of the Bearspaw south feeder main following the incident are estimated at $40 million, with an ongoing independent review led by former businessman Siegfried Kiefer.
The city continues to investigate the effects of road salt on infrastructure, aiming to find the best solutions for road maintenance while considering environmental and cost implications.