Two years ago, the town of La Broquerie began spraying their roads with a mixture of water, salt, and beet juice to increase vehicle traction and decrease costs.

Since then, RM of La Broquerie Public Works Supervisor Ron Kowalchuk says he has been approached numerous times by other municipalities asking about details on the innovative technique.

“Some of the local RMs have contacted me and there’s been a lot of questions asked,” says Kowalchuk, “whether or not they are using it, I’m not sure, but I think its great that other people are interested in helping out the environment and using a good product.”

Kowalchuk recognizes that the product’s low price, eco-friendliness, and the fact that it is non-corrosive to vehicles is attractive and says since they began using it, the response from his RM has only been favorable. “All I’ve heard are positive things, its all been working well so far and hopefully we will continue to use it.”

Kowalchuk says his crews use two beet-based solutions: a liquid called “Fusion” which is put on the street before a snowfall and makes the snow slushy and easy to clear, and a granular product that combines beets with sand and improves vehicle traction on icy roads. He adds that the RM has already begun using the latter this year to combat the slippery conditions.