02-11-2010, 07:21 AM
Where can we buy a gallon of beet juice? This is in the News Sun this morning. 
Will it stain sidewalks?
Beet juice mix helps melt ice
Lindenhurst
Comments
February 11, 2010
By DIANA KUYPER Special to the News-Sun
LINDENHURST -- Adding beet juice to a combination of rock salt and calcium chloride to deice roads this winter is rated a success.
"You can really see a difference. Because it activates the salt faster, we are seeing a faster melt with the beet juice," said Village Administrator Matthew Formica.
Formica said the village ran a comparison recently, using the beet juice mixture on some streets and a traditional salt mix on a neighboring street, comparing the results.
"It's neat to look at the picture because you can see where one street is melted down to pavement while the neighboring street is still snow-covered, so we have found it makes a difference, and overall we are really pleased with results."
The salt, sprayed with the beet juice as it is spread on the street, turns into the consistency of oatmeal. "It sticks to roads better, making the salt more effective. It turns the snow brown but it is not harmful or corrosive."
Switching to a mix of calcium chloride, beet juice and salt brine has reduced salt use by about 20 percent and is saving the village about $8,000 this season.
"We've struck a good balance between effectiveness on the streets and the impact on our lakes and streams," said Formica. "Our public works staff says it works well and is doing a good job."
The mixture should be effective until temperatures hit 20 degrees below zero. In colder conditions, the village will switch to straight road salt, said Karl Warwick, assistant village administrator.
Next year, the village may start pre-treating streets prior to storms, which can reduce bonding of snow and ice to pavement and keep pavement wet longer, said Warwick.
Will it stain sidewalks?Beet juice mix helps melt ice
Lindenhurst
Comments
February 11, 2010
By DIANA KUYPER Special to the News-Sun
LINDENHURST -- Adding beet juice to a combination of rock salt and calcium chloride to deice roads this winter is rated a success.
"You can really see a difference. Because it activates the salt faster, we are seeing a faster melt with the beet juice," said Village Administrator Matthew Formica.
Formica said the village ran a comparison recently, using the beet juice mixture on some streets and a traditional salt mix on a neighboring street, comparing the results.
"It's neat to look at the picture because you can see where one street is melted down to pavement while the neighboring street is still snow-covered, so we have found it makes a difference, and overall we are really pleased with results."
The salt, sprayed with the beet juice as it is spread on the street, turns into the consistency of oatmeal. "It sticks to roads better, making the salt more effective. It turns the snow brown but it is not harmful or corrosive."
Switching to a mix of calcium chloride, beet juice and salt brine has reduced salt use by about 20 percent and is saving the village about $8,000 this season.
"We've struck a good balance between effectiveness on the streets and the impact on our lakes and streams," said Formica. "Our public works staff says it works well and is doing a good job."
The mixture should be effective until temperatures hit 20 degrees below zero. In colder conditions, the village will switch to straight road salt, said Karl Warwick, assistant village administrator.
Next year, the village may start pre-treating streets prior to storms, which can reduce bonding of snow and ice to pavement and keep pavement wet longer, said Warwick.