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CURB THE SAL
T
SNOW
about...
• Wear winter boots: Wear a pair of winter boots
with good tread to keep you safe and warm.
• Put winter tires on your car: Consider
switching your all-season tires for winter tires.
You’ll have better traction and two sets of tires that
last twice as long. And you get a discount on your
insurance.
For more ideas on how to protect our water supply
and reduce the use of salt, contact:
Region of Waterloo, Water Services
519-575-4400 (TTY: 519-575-4608)
[email protected]
www.curbthesalt.ca
snow removal
SNOW
about...
Look inside for important information on how
the cities of Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge
and the Region of Waterloo, in co-operation
with their residents, can keep all roads and
sidewalks as safe as possible this winter!
The cities of Kitchener, Waterloo and
Cambridge are responsible for snow removal on:
• public roadways;
• sidewalks around city facilities;
• crosswalks.
Property owners or occupants are responsible for
clearing the snow and ice from the sidewalks at
the front and side of their home or business.
CURB THE SAL
T
SNOW
about...
Curb the salt; it impacts our water sources. We all
have a role to play in protecting our water. Here’s
what you can do…
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sidewalk doesn’t become an icy one. Instead of
salt, let the sun do the melting for you.
• Use salt wisely: Only use salt on icy areas and
give it time to work. A little goes a long way and
salt works best between 0 and -10 Celsius.
• Create traction: Use alternatives like sand
or non-clumping kitty litter to create traction
instead of salt.
• Prevent ice: Direct downspouts away from
walkways or driveways and keep storm drains
clear to avoid icy areas.
SIDEWALKS
SNOW
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To report unshovelled sidewalks:
In Kitchener (wait 24 hours from end of snowfall):
519-741-2345;
In Waterloo (wait 24 hours from end of snowfall):
519-747-6280 or email [email protected];
In Cambridge (wait 36 hours from end of snowfall):
519-621-0740, x7907.
Be nice. Clear your snow and ice.
Kitchener and Waterloo city bylaws require that
your sidewalks be clear of snow and ice within 24
hours of a snow fall (in Cambridge, it’s 36 hours).
Not clearing your sidewalks can result in crews
contracted by the city clearing them for you.
Residents are required to reimburse the city for the
cost of the service. Depending on the size of your lot,
this could cost you $280.
parking
SNOW
about...
Additional snow-how
• Don’t park on the street during a snowstorm.
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meters and vents.
• Remind children not to climb or play on
snowbanks or to dig forts, as it is dangerous.
parking
SNOW
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In Cambridge, the parking bylaws are
enforced 24 hours a day and seven days a
week. From January 1 to March 15, there is no
overnight on-street parking from 2:30-6 a.m.
Under the City of Cambridge’s tag-and-tow
bylaw, parking is prohibited on all streets at any
time a SNOW EVENT is declared until the
Snow Event is cancelled. Vehicles parked on the
street may be ticketed and towed.
For more details, visit www.cambridge.ca/
parking. Cambridge residents may report
illegal parking or related concerns to
519-621-0740, x4217.
SIDEWALKS
SNOW
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Did you know?
• Chloride impacts water. Salt and many de-icers,
including environmentally friendly products, contain
chloride.
• Salt works best between 0 and -10 Celsius.
• A little salt goes a long way. In many cases, about one
tablespoon of salt for a one-metre square area is all
you need.
It is also important to keep snow and ice from building
up on your gas meter and exhaust vents. Do not
shovel, blow, or plow snow up against your gas meter
equipment and exhaust vents. Although these devices
are designed for outdoor use, gas meters need to vent;
if they can’t vent, the gas buildup could be forced back
into the house, with potentially dangerous consequences.
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clear and accessible in case there is an emergency.
parking
SNOW
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In Waterloo, during a storm, a snow ban
will be issued through the media requesting that
streets be kept clear of parked vehicles to make it
easier to clear local streets. The City of Waterloo
does not allow on-street parking 2:30 a.m. to
6 a.m., but, depending upon the weather, may
grant exemptions if there is no snow ban in place.
You must register prior to 1:30 a.m. by
calling 519-747-8559 or registering at
www.waterloo.ca/parking
There are no exemptions during a snow
ban. To report cars that are illegally parked in
Waterloo, please call 519-747-8785.
SIDEWALKS
SNOW
about...
Follow these tips to keep your sidewalk clear:
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• Clear the snow as soon as you can so a snowy
sidewalk doesn’t become an icy one.
• Do not use salt or de-icers to melt snow.
• Store unsalted snow where it won’t melt on to
paved areas.
• Comply with local bylaws; do not shovel snow
onto the road.
parking
SNOW
about...
Roads cannot be properly plowed when they are
blocked by parked cars.
In Kitchener, there is no overnight
parking on City of Kitchener streets between
December 1 and March 31. Additionally, under
the City of Kitchener’s tag-and-tow bylaw,
parking is prohibited on all streets at any time a
SNOW EVENT is declared until it is cancelled.*
Vehicles parked on the street but not towed will
also be ticketed. A ticket for parking on-street
during a Snow Event is $80.
* To receive notices when Snow Events are
declared, visit www.kitchener.ca/tagandtow to
subscribe.
SIDEWALKS
SNOW
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atches only.
Treat icy patches only.
•
•
Sprinkle salt or de-icer on icy areas only and give it
Sprinkle salt or de-icer on
time to work before clearing ice.
time to w
•
•
•
Remove ice with a steel ice chopper.Remove ice with a steel ice chopper.
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Follow salt or de-icer directio
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ate
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temperature and application
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•
Create traction with non-clumping kitty litter or sand
Create traction with non-clumping kitty litter or sand
traction with non clum
to reduce the potential to slip
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earn more at www
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curbthesalt
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SNOW
about...
Be a good neighbour.
Although it’s the law to clear snow and ice from the
sidewalk, it’s also the neighbourly thing to do. Snow or
ice-covered sidewalks can be treacherous for all residents,
especially those who use wheelchairs, walkers, canes or
strollers; getting from Point A to Point B is even tougher
when it snows. All pedestrians need you to clear your
sidewalks, but especially:
• Seniors;
• People using assistive devices (crutches, canes, walkers,
wheelchairs or scooters);
• People with baby carriages or strollers;
• People moving heavy or bulky objects;
• People with disabilities.
Uncleared sidewalks can result in dangerous falls for
pedestrians, or force them onto the roadways where it is
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plowing
SNOW
about...
The following is a guide to the level of service you may expect:
Snow-plowing priorities
Each snow plow is assigned a designated area of the city and clearing is carried out
on the basis of the following priorities.
1) Major arterial roads;
2) Major collector roads and Grand River Transit bus routes;
3) Local residential streets.
Help keep our roads and sidewalks as safe as possible this winter. The cities of
Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge and the Region of Waterloo ask for your
cooperation with the following:
• Drive smart – give yourself extra time and distance.
• Put winter tires on your car.
• Respect the blue light - when sharing the road with plows always have your headlights
on and give the plow plenty of room. Oncoming vehicles should stay to the right.
• Remember, passing a snow plow on the right side is dangerous as the operator may
not be able to see you.
SIDEWALKS
SIDEWALKS
plowing
SNOW
about...
SNOW
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If you need help…
If you are unable to clear your sidewalks because of
health or mobility restrictions, there are several local
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may apply, so call for details:
• Community Support Connections/Meals and Wheels
and More: 519-772-8787 (Kitchener or Cambridge);
• Waterloo Home Support Services (for Waterloo
residents only; there is currently a wait list):
519-579-6930;
• Working Centre: 519-513-9225; or
You can also ask a high school student; volunteer hours
are required for graduation from high school. Contact
your local high school to see if there are students who
can help you through the winter.
The cities of Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge
and the Region of Waterloo are responsible for
winter road maintenance including plowing,
sanding and salting.
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according to provincial criteria and the city must
achieve quality standards that are consistent
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soon as a Snow Event/storm begins.
In most cases, the city response begins before the
snow starts, in the form of applying anti-icing
brine, as long as the weather cooperates.
A number of factors – including temperature,
future forecasts and precipitation – determine how
and when plowing, salting or sanding should take
place.
snow angels snow angels
SNOW
about...
SNOW
about...
Be a snow angel
Keeping sidewalks free of ice and snow can be
very challenging for older adults and people with
limited mobility. As a Snow Angel, you can be a
good neighbour by clearing snow for those who
need assistance. All you have to do is adopt a
sidewalk and keep it clear when it snows.
Watch for people in your neighbourhood who
could use help with snow and lend them a hand.
It’s also a great opportunity for students to complete
volunteer hours needed and to exercise outdoors!
Do you have an angel who’s helped you shovel?
We can help you say thanks. Nominate your
Snow Angel at www.kitchener.ca/snowangels;
by emailing [email protected] or by calling
519-741-2200, ext. 7537.
Tips and tricks when you shovel:
• Shovel as soon as possible after a snow fall;
• Use a proper sized shovel;
• Do not shovel snow onto the road;
• Keep snow piles low so as not to obstruct the
visibility of pedestrians and drivers;
• Carefully use safety salt only as necessary and/
or sand on the ice;
• Snow/ice must be cleared 24 hours after the
end of a snowfall;
• If you are going away during the winter months,
please arrange for your sidewalks to be cleared;
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do not attempt to shovel snow;
• Wherever possible, help your neighbour!