2-8-2019
BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Bellingham uses a rather unique mixture to prepare our streets for snow and ice.
Public Works tells KOMO the deicing brine they’ve been spraying includes about 20% beet juice.
The beet juice booster helps lower the freezing temperature, prevents corrosion and makes the snow easier to plow off the road.
The city applies a salt and sand mixture after the snow falls but does not use sand around Lake Whatcom.
Bellingham also does not use magnesium chloride as a deicer because it’s bad for fish when it runs off into streams.
During the snowstorm, the City of Bellingham recommends staying at home if possible, and completely deicing your car’s windows if you choose to go out.
