Now is the time to help our lakes with two simple steps
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Clearing leaves and using less salt produces results
As the leaves drop and snow flies, Madison residents can help protect our lakes, ground water and lawns by taking a couple of simple steps.
First, help keep leaves out of the gutter! When raking leaves to the terrace, leave a one foot gap between the edge of the pile and the curb. Then, make sure to rake leaves from your gutter and place them with the other leaves on your terrace. When leaves in the street get wet and start to decay, they release a phosphorus rich "tea" that washes into storm sewers. This phosphorus contributes to algae blooms and the growth of nuisance weeds that decrease our enjoyment of the lake in the summer time. One pound of phosphorus equals 500 hundred pounds of algae, so every leaf removed helps.
Second, use less salt! Most people use five times the amount of salt needed to be effective. Using more salt doesn't make your sidewalks safer. Once used, salt doesn't go away -- it accumulates in our freshwater. One 12-ounce container, like a coffee cup, is all you need. That amount is sufficient to salt 60 to 70 feet of sidewalk.Wisconsin Salt Wise Partnership, which is a new coalition of cities, including Madison, county agencies, educators and environmental groups, is working to get the word out about responsible salt use. For helpful tips on reducing sidewalk salt and strategies for combating slippery walkways, residents are encouraged to check out the Homeowners Handout on Wisconsin Salt Wise's web site, Wi.SaltWise.com.
This winter, think of summer. Little changes at home, at work and in our city will go a long way.
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