Fight Water Pollution with Grit this Winter
To combat chloride pollution in the watershed, the South Washington Watershed District provides free grit to watershed residents. Chicken grit, or grit, is a chloride-free, non-chemical alternative to salt typically used for deicing roads, sidewalks, and driveways during the winter. The giveaway begins November 19th.
|
Grit Giveaway Program
Beginning November 19th, South Washington Watershed District will provide free grit to watershed residents to help combat chloride pollution in our local lakes and streams. Grit is the safe and pollution-free alternative to typical road salts used for sidewalks, driveways, and roads. Individual bags of grit are available at five location throughout the watershed for either weekend, weekday, or 24-hour pickup depending on location. Read more and determine your pickup location.
Key Information
- Road salts cause chloride pollution in our lakes, streams, wetlands and groundwater
- Grit, also known as cherry stone grit or traction grit, is 100% natural quartzite and is a chloride-free alternative to traditional salts used during the winter to melt ice from paved surfaces.
- SWWD is providing grit to the watershed community for free and while supplies last
- Grit can be picked up at your convenience and at city public works buildings throughout the District
How chloride pollutes
Chemical deicing products have polluted our lakes, streams, and wetlands with chloride, and once chloride gets into water, it’s there for good and will build up year after year. It only takes one teaspoon of salt to permanently pollute five gallons of water, and in Minnesota, we spread around 445,000 tons of it on our roads each year. To put it into perspective, that’s the equivalent weight of 1,017 jumbo jets, 67,283 African Bush Elephants, or 651,124,531 basketballs.
Chloride also pollutes groundwater, impacting not only the taste but the healthfulness of our drinking water. Around 75% of Minnesotans rely on groundwater for drinking water.
How grit reduces chloride pollution
Grit works physically to provide traction on top of ice, unlike deicers, which rely on a chemical reaction to melt ice. It can also be used throughout the winter, unlike salts that chemically do not work once the ground has reached 15°F, no matter how much salt is applied.
Apply grit like how you would apply salt. Sweep up excess grit and spread it around in high-traffic areas like sidewalks and driveways. Grit doesn’t disappear, so it can be reused and moved as needed.
Grit provides immediate results, with no advanced application or waiting around for salt to begin working. Since grit does not melt ice, it also won’t create any slush in your walkway, which can later freeze and make surfaces even more slippery!
Unlike salt, grit will not stain or damage concrete surfaces.
Grit Pickup Locations
Starting November 19th, grit is available for pickup in Cottage Grove, Newport, St. Paul Park, and Woodbury. District residents are welcome to pick up a bag from any location within the District. Grit comes in individually packed 25lbs bags.
Note: Some pickup locations are only accessible during business hours and are not open on weekends.
24 Hour Outdoor Pickup
Woodbury Public Works
Grit is available 24 hours a day in the outdoor shed along the eastern side of Tower Drive in Woodbury at 2300 Tower Drive, Woodbury, MN 55125.
Cottage Grove Public Works
Grit is available 24 hours a day in the outdoor shed located behind the main building at the intersection of 95th St S and Irwin Ave S. The Cottage Grove Public Works building is located at 8635 W Point Douglas Rd S, Cottage Grove, MN 55016.
Weekday Pickup Only
St. Paul Park Streets Department
Grit is available for pickup at the St. Paul Park Streets Department building at 649 5th Street, St. Paul Park, MN 55071.
- Open Mondays – Friday 7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
- Closed weekends
Newport Public Works
Grit is available for pickup at the Newport Public Works building at 1100 Bailey Rd, Newport, MN 55055.
- Open Monday – Friday 7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
- Closed weekends
Open Saturdays
Washington County South Environmental Center
Grit is available for pickup at the Washington County Environmental Center in their drop off drive through at 4039 Cottage Grove Drive, Woodbury, MN 55129.
- Open Saturday 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Open Tuesday 11 a.m. – 7 p.m., and Thursday/Friday 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Closed Monday, Wednesday, and Sunday
How to use grit
To apply grit at home, just remember to Shovel. Sprinkle. Sweep. Repeat!
Applying grit at homes or businesses is similar to applying salt. Start by shoveling to maintain your surfaces early and often to prevent accumulation. Then sprinkle your grit onto icy surfaces. Remember to apply grit on top of ice or slippery hardpack snow to create the traction layer between your feet and the ice. As temperatures fluctuate, sweep up your grit and return it to a container. Unlike salt, grit can be reused throughout the winter and from season to season! Finally, repeat this process as things get icy.
Applying Grit
- Shovel. Shovel early, shovel often. This eliminates slippery surfaces before they start.
- Sprinkle. Sprinkle grit liberally onto slippery outdoor surfaces. It is not recommended to apply grit to marble surfaces.
- Sweep. As snow and ice melt, sweep up the grit and put it into a container for future use.
- Repeat! When things get icy, grab the grit and repeat. Your local lake thanks you!
Learn more about chloride pollution
Road salt is the #1 contributor to chloride pollution
Chloride pollution negatively impacts water quality, aquatic life, wildlife, plants, soil quality, and pets, it can even corrode infrastructure.
Abby Tekiela
Staff Contact
Questions? Reach out to Abby Tekiela, Water Resources Program Manager, at Abby.Tekiela@swwdmn.gov or call 651.728.6827.