Delta College
Tier2-4: Snow and Ice Removal

Facilities Management Grounds Maintenance recognizes its obligation to ensure proper and consistent snow removal. They concentrate on keeping the interior roadways, sidewalks, and parking lots cleared as soon as possible, during and after a snow fall.

While the application of salt has proven the most economical and effective for snow removal and safety measures, it does present environmental concern. With this in mind, Grounds Maintenance has employed an environmentally sound approach to snow removal on the two-lane campus roads. By taking advantage of the road contour and applying salt only to a narrow strip along the centerline, they can avoid salting the entire road surface. As traffic passes, salt is moved off the centerline, begins melting, and dissolves into liquid brine which drains toward both road shoulders for added coverage across the entire road. This pattern quickly gives vehicles clear pavement under at least two wheels while using less salt. It provides for vehicle safety yet reduces operating costs, supplies, and materials and redirects labor time to concentrate on clearing parking lots and sidewalks.

Additionally, the grounds crew creates snow windrows to help prevent excess snow from blowing across the entrance drives. Windrows reduce plowing and salt applications and increases driver visibility and safety. Grounds Maintenance continues to research environmentally sound application materials and processes.