If pads are not used, storage piles should have runoff diverted around them and should be contained within prescribed bounds by using berms. Drainage ditches, pipes or tiles may be necessary to prevent contamination of water resources. Lined impoundment basins may also be needed to contain salt drainage. Proper designed storage buildings are the recommended storage option. Other storage methods such as covered piles and converted grain silos have demonstrated problems.
Brine runoff is difficult to control with covered piles.
Salt use can be minimized by more frequent plowing and use of salt alternatives such as sand. Alternative deicing compounds, such as urea, various chloride compounds of magnesium, potassium, aluminum and lithium, ammonium acetate, methyl and ethyl alcohol, ethylene glycol, and glycerol have been used to meet special conditions such as airport runway deicing. Although CMA is many times more expensive than salt, the costs of roadway structural damage caused by salt may make the use of CMA economical for larger metropolitan areas. References Bennett, E., K. Linstedt, V. Nilsgard, G. Battaglia and F. Pontius. Urban snowmelt- characteristics and treatment.