Protecting the DuPage | Village of Shorewood

Protecting the DuPage River

Lower DuPage Watershed Coalition

The Village of Shorewood is a member of the Lower DuPage Watershed Coalition. A watershed is all of the landscape that drains into a particular lake or river. The Lower DuPage Watershed Coalition was formed in 2012 to provide coordinated efforts to address water resource concerns using a science-based approach to identify water quality stressors and develop ecologically and economically sound approaches to restore stream health to the lower portion of the DuPage River. Be sure to check this page for seasonal water conservation tips.

Winter ConservationSalt Smart. Save More.
The Village of Shorewood is committed to the safety of our motorists and works to ensure a safer commute by using plows and salt trucks to clear your roads. Salt is used to make driving conditions safer but the cost of using too much salt goes beyond the pavement. Salt used on roads and sidewalks eventually runs off and finds its way into the DuPage River where it can hurt fish and water quality. Excess salt also hurts our pets' feet and is corrosive to our cars, driveways, and sidewalks. There is such a thing as too much salt!

Smart salt use helps ensure that tax dollars are used responsibly and also helps protect our precious water resources for generations to come. One way in which the Village of Shorewood has been doing this is by committing to using best management practices during winter months to minimize the excessive use of salt. The 'safety stripes' you have seen on the roads for over fourteen years is a brine solution made with a blend of rock salt and a specially engineered product made of corn. It is applied by snow removal vehicles to the roads in anticipation of an oncoming snowfall event. Not only is this unique blend environmentally friendly, but it is also extremely effective at low temperatures. Pre-treating the roads helps to activate the salt and allows it to work in colder temperatures. It also reduces the bounce when the salt comes out of the spreaders. The pre-treatment helps save time and save money.

SALT SMART at home to protect the DuPage River
Using the right amount of salt only where necessary will make a big difference for our local waterways - and our pocketbooks. Using the right amount of salt keeps you safe, saves money, and protects our river. Join the Village of Shorewood and reduce the amount of excess salt used on your driveways and sidewalks.

Here are five tips for salting smart this winter:

Shovel first. Salt should only be used after snow is removed and only in areas needed for safety.
Size up. More salt does not mean more melting. A 12-ounce coffee mug* of salt should be enough for a 20-ft driveway or 10 sidewalk squares (250 ft).
Spread. Distribute salt evenly, not in clumps. Clumped salt is wasted salt!
Sweep. If you see salt left over on the ground after the ice melts, then you've used too much! Sweep leftover salt to keep it out of our rivers and streams.
Switch. Untreated salt stops working if the temperature is below 15 degrees. When temperatures drop that low, switch to sand for traction or choose a different deicer formulated for colder temperatures.

Salt pollution threatens the rivers and streams that we enjoy. To improve the conditions of these waterways, both citizens and local municipal governments need to reduce unnecessary salt use on streets, parking lots, sidewalks, and driveways. Using the right amount of salt helps to improve safety, saves money, and protects our rivers. Join the Village of Shorewood and reduce the amount of excess salt used on your driveways and sidewalks.

*Stop by Village Hall to pick up a complimentary 12-ounce cup to use when salting your driveway and sidewalks.

Salt Smart. Save More.

Top 10 Year-Round Water Conservation Tips