Ohio University is having its own troubles keeping its salt pile stocked.
The university has gone through about 400 to 600 tons of salt so far this winter, said Jay North, associate director for maintenance operations.
OU was in the process of ordering more salt last week after the Monday wintery weather depleted a good portion of the salt. Once the university orders salt, the state contractor has seven days to make the delivery.
“Our first priority is pathways for students and parking lots,” said Steve Mack, director of Facilities Management.
The university has been using sand, which doesn’t melt the snow at all, and cinders, which are somewhat effective in melting, from the heating plant to stretch the supply. Both materials provide some traction, but aren’t as effective as salt.
“We don’t use a lot of it,” North said.
OU has the capacity for about 150 to 200 pounds of salt. One university truck can distribute about 25 tons at one time.
“(The weather) can fluctuate. As soon as we know the weather is bad we’ll order (salt),” North said.
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