Salt shortages challenge Butler County communities during brutal winter
With swaths of the country pelted by winter storms and supply chain issues reported with salt suppliers, municipalities are being cautious with their usage.
Butler City Councilman Troy Douthett, who also serves as director of streets and public improvements, said Tuesday afternoon the city is “digging in the back of the bin” for any salt they can use. He estimated they had less than 100 tons left at the time.
“It’s been a fight all winter and there’s been lots of promises that haven’t been met,” he said.
For reference, he said salting the city’s streets for a normal snowfall usually takes about 50 tons. For the storm at the end of January alone, the city’s road crews ended up using over 700 tons.
Luckily, the city ended up receiving a shipment late Tuesday followed by another Wednesday afternoon, giving its road crews some room to breathe.
Douthett said his frustration primarily came from lackluster communication with the city’s salt supplier, Compass Minerals, rather than the lack of salt itself. The city hired Compass Minerals through COSTARS, the state’s cooperative purchasing program that helps municipalities get contracts.
He said Compass told him they were experiencing supply chain issues and high demand, which led to different delays and canceled deliveries. He said he is understanding of their issues, but hopes communication will improve from here.
“It’s definitely stressful, especially when it’s hard to get proper information on what’s going on,” he said.
Delays in salt deliveries have not been an isolated issue for Butler, however.
Butler Township manager Tom Knights said Tuesday the township has more than 1,000 tons out to order, but deliveries usually come slower than preferred.
“Our inventory is definitely lower than we like, but we’re not close to running out,” he said.
He estimated the township had a little less than 500 tons in storage and expects to use some this week.
On Wednesday, Knights said the township used around 45 tons of salt Tuesday night, which was significantly less than usual 80 to 90 tons.
“The wetter snow like (the kind that feel this week) can be plowed off clean and less salt is needed,” he explained.
He said the township recently placed another order over two weeks ago, but had yet to hear much from Morton Salt, its supplier. The contract between the township and Morton was not made through COSTARS.
While the National Weather Service of Pittsburgh predicts weather as warm as 52 degrees on Friday, snow is not far behind. The service’s forecast for Butler said there are chances for snow Saturday night, Sunday night and Monday.
-
Several tons of salt wait for Butler’s next winter storm at the Butler City salt depot on Wednesday, Feb. 25. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Salt is moved between two of the holding garages as the city prepares for Butler’s next winter storm at the Butler City salt depot on Wednesday, Feb. 25. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Salt is moved between two of the holding garages as the city prepares for Butler’s next winter storm at the Butler City salt depot on Wednesday, Feb. 25. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
-
Several tons of salt wait for Butler’s next winter storm at the Butler City salt depot on Wednesday, Feb. 25. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
