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Are You Using The Right Ice Melt Near A Well Or Water Reservoir?

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ice melt for well water

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Do you like winters? Yes, most of us do. They don’t call it “the most wonderful time of the year” for nothing. But the slippery and icy sidewalk in winters can be challenging as it can result in dangerous slip-and-fall accidents. Therefore, clearing snow and providing safe access to the driveway for your family and visitors becomes your responsibility. One of the most popular and effective ways to get rid of this treacherous layer of ice is by using ice melt. 


According to a study, 60% of American households use rock salt or salt-based ice melter products, but only 38% of them are aware of its hazards. We take generous amounts of rock salt and spread it in open areas like steps, driveways, sidewalks, etc. Some people even think that rock salt is safe to use and is natural snowmelt, which is a big myth.

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Are You Using Rock Salt Near A Well Or Water Reservoir?

In this article, we will discuss 5 reasons why you should not use rock salt or ice melt near a well or any other water body.

1- Rock Salt/Ice Melt May Percolate Into The Water Supply

Rock salt or ice melt can enter water supplies by percolating down through the ground or running off from roads and parking lots into water reservoirs and shallow wells. 

Salt applied during storms often gets shoveled into snowbanks. When these melt, the salt gets washed into ditches or storm drains and ends up in the water supply.

2- Rock Salt And Ice Melt Contain Chemicals

Rock salt is 98% sodium chloride. Almost all ice melt in the market contains chloride in one or the other form like- sodium chloride, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, etc.

Overuse of rock salt or chemical ice melter can be harmful to delicate machinery, building materials, concrete, vegetation, pets, and kids. 

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3- Rock Salt And Ice Melt Are Poisonous

Sodium chloride is poisonous to pets and kids. Sodium chloride is essentially the same as table salt, but it’s poisonous because it contains impurities and is not prepared with the same safety levels as table salt. 

Rock salt can also cause irritation, rashes, and burns to the eyes, skin, or paws of your pets. Every year the Poison Control Department gets many calls about children who put ice melting crystals into their mouths.

In many countries, road salt is listed as a toxic substance. Chloride is toxic to aquatic life, and even low concentrations can produce harmful effects in freshwater ecosystems.

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What’s The Solution?

The best way to avoid this is to use a natural ice melt safe for concrete, dogs, and vegetation. Intake of non-toxic ice melt will not be harmful. A salt-free, chloride free, acetate free ice melter is safe for your grass. So you can use safely spread it near the garden as well. Even if it percolates down, it won’t harm anyone.

Another way is to use spreaders and guards and prevent ice melt from being applied to the areas that can be damaged.

FAQs

A. Depending on the composition of the ice melt, it can have various effects on water quality. Some products may introduce harmful chemicals or significantly increase the salinity of the water, both of which can affect both the taste and safety of the water.

A. Some ice melt products can contain harmful chemicals that can seep into the ground and contaminate water sources. Choosing the right product is important to prevent potential harm to the environment and our water supply.

A. Many ice melt products contain chemicals that, when dissolved and absorbed into the ground, can contaminate groundwater, wells, and water reservoirs. This can potentially harm the local ecosystem and affect the quality of drinking water.

A. Many ice melts contain chloride-based salts such as sodium chloride, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, or potassium chloride. These chemicals can increase the salinity of water and harm aquatic life. Some may also contain other chemicals that can be harmful in high concentrations.

A. Yes, there are several ice melt products available that are designed to be more environmentally friendly. Some are made from organic compounds or are less likely to harm vegetation and wildlife.

A. You can minimize the impact by using ice melt sparingly and only when necessary. Shoveling snow before it has a chance to freeze into ice can also help. If possible, try to use a product labeled as eco-friendly or safe for nearby water sources.

A. Sand does not contain the harmful chemicals found in some ice melt products and is safer for the environment. However, it does not melt ice or snow; it merely provides traction over icy surfaces.

A. If well water gets contaminated, it can affect the taste and safety of the water. High salinity can make the water undrinkable and harmful to both humans and animals. It can also affect the health of your landscape if you use this water for irrigation.

A. The safety of ice melt for well water largely depends on the type of ice melt used. Many common ice melt products contain salts and other chemicals that can seep into the ground and potentially contaminate well water. This contamination can affect the taste and safety of the water and can be harmful to both humans and the environment. Therefore, it’s important to use ice melt sparingly and choose products labelled as environmentally friendly if your property has a well.

A. All types of ice will naturally melt into water when temperatures rise above freezing. However, if you’re asking about the type of ice melt product that is safe to use near a water reservoir, you should look for ones labeled as eco-friendly or safe for use around bodies of water. These products contain fewer harmful chemicals and are less likely to contribute to water contamination. It’s always recommended to use these products sparingly to minimize potential environmental impact.

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