Carol Stream residents may notice distinct white stripes on the road before a snowfall. These markings play a crucial role in keeping our roads safe, while using resources effectively and efficiently, and protecting the environment through sustainable winter maintenance practices.

Carol Stream Public Works uses an innovative, proactive liquid anti-icing technique using brine—a simple solution made of salt and water—to prevent ice from bonding to pavement ahead of winter storms. This proactive approach reduces the amount of excess salt that can wash into local rivers and streams, ultimately helping to preserve water quality and protect our natural resources.

By applying brine in advance, the Village not only ensures roads remain safer for drivers but also conserves valuable salt resources. This method significantly reduces salt usage, which has the added benefit of minimizing the need for extensive plowing, further conserving time and personnel resources. Less salt used and less time spent clearing roads means more efficient use of taxpayer dollars, benefiting both the community and the environment.

Recently, The Conservation Foundation visited Carol Stream Public Works to learn about the science behind this sustainable winter maintenance method. The Foundation, dedicated to environmental protection, highlighted the Village’s efforts to balance road safety with ecological responsibility.

Carol Stream is proud to be a recognized leader in sustainable winter de-icing practices and an honored recipient of The Conservation Foundation’s 2023 SaltSmart Award. Our Public Works and Engineering teams work diligently to reduce the environmental impact of winter maintenance and set a strong example for neighboring communities.

To see this innovative approach in action, check out The Conservation Foundation’s video featuring plow trucks from Carol Stream, Bensenville, and Addison applying brine to local roads in preparation for winter storms.

By embracing sustainable solutions like brine, Carol Stream not only ensures safer roads during winter months but also plays a key role in protecting the environment for future generations.

For more information:

View The Conservation Foundation's video on social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reel/970589998074243
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DGWXidWyw4i/  

Learn more about the Public Works Snow & Ice Program