Road Salt Drop Off Program

The City has made considerable strides in its efforts to reduce the salt used during snow events while still maintaining roadway safety. Things like using brine have allowed the Department of Public Works to go on a “Salt Diet.” Reducing the use of road salt is critical to reducing the amount of chloride that enters into our streams. High chloride levels have severe effects on species that live in or near our streams and it impacts the quality of our drinking water as well.

The City only treats and plows public streets. Other contractors and residents treat private roadways and parking lots We have encountered some situations where private contractors and residents have either spun off excess salt in their truck onto already-treated roadways or have dumped large piles of salt on the road. This is in violation of City Code Sec. 18-4a and such actions are punishable by a fine. Chlorides can’t be removed from water. So while these private areas are not maintained by the City, their maintenance directly impact our waterways.

The City is offering contractors and residents a more environmentally responsible solution to dispose of excess salt. Contractors and residents may empty the salt into the City’s Salt Barn, located at the Department of Public Works (DPW), 800 Rabbitt Road, at no cost. In order to participate in this program, the contractor or residents must:

• Sign an agreement with the City
• Call DPW at 301-258-6370 at least 10 minutes before arrival
• Arrive between 7:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Monday - Friday
• Be escorted to the salt barn by DPW staff

Interested contractors or residents should email snow@gaithersburgmd.gov with questions and to sign the agreement.