Before long, seasons will change once again. What you put on any surface near your home, from your driveway to your yard, affects the water quality of Morse Reservoir.
Use de-icing materials cautiously during the remaining weeks of winter. The active chemicals found in these products can be harmful to turf grass, and salt can contaminate water sources by dissolving into soil and reaching aquifers.
Sand and cat litter are good alternatives to salt. If possible avoid large piles of snow, as this will hinder the growth of turf grass.
For more details from Purdue Extension, check out “Salt Damage in Landscape Plants” (pdf). The Purdue University specialists explain how salt can be dangerous to plants and suggest alternative de-icing products.