Storms stretching salt supplies

Public works crews across the Chicago area are hanging in there, but if the hits keep on coming there could be a bigger problem before winter ends.

If snow keeps falling at this frequency, some communities could run out of salt and find it difficult and even more expensive to get more.

"This is exactly what we feared, I think, as an industry," said Mark DeVries, maintenance superintendent for the McHenry County Department of Transportation.

Though the department is estimating it will be OK until the end of February, frequent snowfalls are eating up supplies and taxing manpower and equipment, DeVries said.

And starting early Tuesday, two more predicted storms could dump as much as 10 inches of new snow before Christmas.

"We're already getting killed on how much fuel we use, how much overtime. We've had a lot of breakdowns already. Even if we can find more salt, can we afford it?" DeVries said.

Most entities across the region are doing their best to conserve salt because the cost tripled for many this year.

Contracts also have been restricted this season so that communities aren't guaranteed any more salt than they ordered. In past years, communities could get up to 30 percent more salt if need be.

With supplies being stretched already, many communities will have to assess the situation after the holidays.

"I don't know how much more we can conserve," said Ed Laudenslager, Vernon Hills' public works director.

Village crews have been out for nine storms so far this season to deal with about 22 inches of snow. Last year at this time the village had received 16 inches of snow in seven storms.

Like other communities, Vernon Hills has changed its procedures to use less salt.

Last Friday, for example, snow started falling around midnight, but Vernon Hills' crews didn't salt until afternoon when the storm had passed.

The Lake County Division of Transportation has used about the same amount of salt this year as last although there has been more snow, said Kevin Kerrigan, who heads the county's snow removal effort.

"We're telling our drivers to conserve salt, use only what's needed," he said. One directive is to drive slower so more salt stays on the road, he added.

Kane County crews have not restricted salt use, and so far, have enough to get through a normal winter. But that doesn't look to be the case, as they've already been out to clear snow and ice 24 times compared to a season average of 42.

"We're way ahead of schedule," said Kane County Director of Transportation Carl Schoedel.

Kane ordered extra salt after this year and was able to get it at $54 a ton, a bargain compared to some communities that had to pay more than $138 per ton.

DeVries, who consults with various local entities on "sensible salting" and other conservation methods, said McHenry County has used 4,000 tons so far.

"We secured 10,000 (tons) so we're doing fine," he said.

But, he added, "If this continues the way it is, we'll have the same issues as everybody else. There's a lot of winter left here."

• Daily Herald staff writer Amy Mack contributed to this report