Streets should be swept at a minimum in both spring and fall, and catch basins should be cleared of sand and debris. Check with your Department of Public Works and find out if they sweep regularly. There are several ways to limit the amount of salt used on roadways. Both timing of the application and wetting of the salt before application so that it sticks to the road lead to fewer applications. Vermont is using infrared sensors on the bottoms of snowplows to measure the actual temperature of the roadway as the trucks pass over allowing a more accurate calculation of the amount of salt needed.
Calcium chloride is used to increase the deicing effectiveness at lower temperatures.
In Massachusetts, use of this mix has been shown to save two dollars in environmental costs to every dollar spent on the pre-mix. This product is made from dolomitic limestone and acetic acid. It does, however, pose little threat to ground and surface water, and is less corrosive and safer for vegetation and animals. Urea is synthesized from ammonia and carbon dioxide, and is primarily used as a fertilizer. It forms a solution that functions like a brine, but without the corrosive effects.