Salt brine is water saturated with sodium chloride (rock salt dissolved in water to put it simply). Salt brine is used by many communities and counties in the area as an anti-ice tool. It slows the formation of ice and snow on streets and also helps prevent the bond of snow and ice to the pavement, making snow removal easier while using less salt. During winter you may notice a small tank on the sides of our plow trucks filled with brine and in addition to the trucks dispensing salt, you will notice that they are mixing the brine with the salt. This is called pre-wetting the salt, which will activate the salt as soon as it hits the road.
The Village will also be applying brine to the roads up to 72 hours in advance of a winter storm, called anti-icing. When salt brine is used to pre-treat the roads it begins working as soon as the first snowflake falls and helps delay the accumulation of snow and ice on the pavement. The Village will pre-treat intersections, main roads and hills before driving conditions deteriorate during a snow event. As a result, the roads will return to bare pavement much quicker once the storm has ended. This will reduce the amount of time it takes the Department of Public Works to plow the Village after a snow event.
What are other advantages to using salt brine?
- Favorable road conditions last longer and are improved faster than with salt alone.
- Using salt brine jumpstarts the melting process because salt needs moisture to be most effective.
- Pre-treated doesn’t bounce or blow off the road surface so material is used more efficiently.
- If the storm is delayed, the brine remains on the road ready to work when snow begins.
- Crews can cover more territory by beginning in advance of a storm.
- Increased efficiency results in less salt and is better for the environment.
Purchase Salt Brine
At the request of a local business, the Village of Sussex is now selling salt brine. Salt brine can be purchased at the Public Works Garage, located at N59W23525 Clover Drive, by appointment only. Customers must bring their own tank, which will be filled by Village staff. The Village of Sussex reserves the right to discontinue sales at any time.
Hours of Operation
The service is available 7:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday by appointment and at the discretion of Public Works staff. Please note that salt brine will not be sold during snow events.
Please call 262-820-3130 to schedule an appointment.
Cost
The cost for salt brine is 21 cents per gallon. Please note that salt brine sales are subject to availability.
Customers will be billed by the gallon for the amount of salt brine taken from the Public Works Garage. No refunds will be issued for unused salt brine.
