City of Edmonton considering return of controversial calcium chloride

The City of Edmonton is contemplating the reintroduction of calcium chloride, a polarizing de-icing agent, to handle heavy snowfall and ice accumulation in the winter. The contentious chemical was utilized on major roads in 2017 and 2018, sparking debates over its advantages and drawbacks.

Valerie Dacyk, the city's supervisor of snow and ice control, revealed that the city's snow and ice policy report, released to the public on Thursday, addressed two council motions seeking a thorough evaluation of calcium chloride's positive and negative aspects. The pilot program initially ran for two years before being discontinued in 2019 due to worries about damage to vehicles, concrete, and infrastructure.

While the province has been employing calcium chloride on Anthony Henday Drive for years, the city's streets often exhibit wet accumulation of the substance during winter, which may infiltrate vehicle components.

Local automotive experts confirm that seven years after the initial deployment, they continue to grapple with the consequences of calcium chloride. Michael Bauman, an auto technician, expressed concern about the extent of rust and corrosion observed in vehicle components. He asserted that calcium chloride is highly corrosive, leading to unprecedented damage. Bauman recommends using sand or salt instead, as it does not absorb moisture and thereby prevents rust and corrosion.

The city's decision to reintroduce calcium chloride would occur in two stages. The first phase would span 12 to 24 months, during which the city would acquire the necessary equipment and train operators. The second phase would entail the actual implementation of the substance on Edmonton's streets. The report pointed out that public opinion about the de-icing agent remains unfavorable, with councillor Thu Parmar, a member of the sipiwiyiniwak ward, echoing this sentiment.

Parmar has been actively seeking additional information from administration regarding the advantages and disadvantages of calcium chloride.

Parmar acknowledged that the city has experienced extreme weather conditions, including freeze-thaw cycles and severe storms. Given these circumstances, she believes there may be a need for additional tools in the city's arsenal. The policy will be deliberated at city hall on Monday, August 31, with further discussions on the use of calcium chloride taking place during budget deliberations later in the fall.