I saw something today that made me curious and thought maybe someone here might know the answer.
I assume the ice melt chemical that is sprayed on the roads is environmentally friendly.....at least to some degree. Perhaps it is diluted by the melting ice/snow and therefore minimally damaging? I'm just yammering here and have no idea what it is, how it works, or know it's impact to the environment.

Here's what triggered my question. I saw today two birds drinking from the rumble strips in the center of the road. They hold water nicely, but what about that snow melt compound?

Any info appreciated.

Been wonderin about that myself.

I was thinking it's salt, but I think they use glycol on airplanes...

I wonder how much the stream ecology is affected when it runs off? I'll have to google that.

What does it do to your aluminum boat? I remember a few years ago Sol posted a pic of his boat all pitted out from the stuff. Its made me a little gun shy about towing my Wooldridge in conditions like this.

Heard on KIRO this afternoon that Seattle won't use de-icer or salt because of the negative effects on the Sound. Not sure what a little more salt would do to the Sound, especially when snow is so rare in Seattle.

The de-icer is horrible stuff...totally pits any aluminum it comes in contact with after 24hrs. In Central/Eastern Wa, we've been dealing with it for almost 10 years. It'll etch wheels, frames, boats, trim, brakes, anything that has some sort of aluminum in it. Shark hide works ok, but will wear off....it just sucks. But...it keeps the guys that have pretty boats off the roads in the winter!!!!! According to the DOT it's safe for the environment.

What do you think all the weed and feed from urbanite landscaping does for water quality ?