Town of Hempstead beats winter with beets

Town of Hempstead Supervisor Anthony J. Santino stood at the podium next to a crate of fresh beets. The next time it snows on Long Island, the Town of Hempstead Sanitation Department will use the juice of these vegetables in a brine solution to de-ice the roads, he announced.

At a press conference with Councilman Anthony D’Esposito, Santino explained that using the solution is more effective, costs less and will not deteriorate town roads like traditional rock salt.

The solution is 80 percent water, 20 percent salt and a small amount of beet juice akin to “a turbo shot of espresso at Dunkin’ Donuts,” said Santino.

The system used to mix the brine was supplied to the town by Accubrine and cost $90,000. Using this solution will save the town between 66 and 75 percent of costs when compared to rock salt and could save the town as much as $290,000 during a severe snowstorm, according to a press release from the Town.

Beet juice freezes at a lower temperature than salt and water alone, allowing the mixture to be used in below-freezing temperatures. Furthermore, the brine adheres to the road longer than rock salt, which blows in the wind. It can be applied to roads 48 hours before the snow begins to fall and eliminates the need for the town to work overtime and reapply it during or after a storm.

“The use of a brine system is a win-win scenario for motorists and taxpayers,” said Santino.

The juice is extracted from the white sugar beet, rendering the solution a brownish-clear color as opposed to vibrant red. This specific type of beet is native to states in the mid-west, where it was first used to de-ice roads in 1990. Since then the idea has spread through northeastern states and regions of Canada.

Santino said, “Right here in the Town of Hempstead, we’ve got the beet.”