Broken Arrow Facing Salt Shortage After Harsh 2013 Winter

Last year's harsh winter has big cities buying salt for slick streets in bulk, but that's leaving smaller cities, like Broken Arrow, without.

Monday, October 6th 2014, 10:40 pm

By: News On 6


A salt shortage is sweeping the nation. Not in the salt mines, but at city maintenance facilities.

Last year's harsh winter has big cities buying salt for slick streets in bulk, but that's leaving smaller cities, like Broken Arrow, without.

Broken Arrow has a 300-ton stockpile of salt. They'd like it to be four-times bigger, but it could cost them four-times the price.

It's simply supply and demand. The demand for salt is outpacing the supply, and cities are scrambling to beat the calendar.

"We just want to make sure we have enough on hand to properly salt and sand all the city streets in Broken Arrow,” said City Services Director, Lee Zirk.

Broken Arrow usually uses 600 to 900-tons of salt on city roads, but this year, Broken Arrow is aiming to double that stockpile, if it can get the salt.

Zirk said states like Indiana, Iowa, Illinois and Missouri have already ordered more than 400,000 tons of salt.

"Because they put in such large orders, smaller communities like us have a tougher time filling those orders," Zirk said.

Salt mines don't have a shortage of salt, but many are at maximum production.

Last winter's record snowfall is to blame for this year's high demand and drastic price increases.

Broken Arrow budgeted to buy salt at about $60 a ton, but a company quoted the city at $250 a ton.

"We'll have to look at savings in other areas to make these purchases,” Zirk said.

Broken Arrow has 300-tons of salt, but would feel more secure with 1,200 to 1,500-tons, which may or may not be delivered.

"We're going to look down every crevice and avenue to acquire what we need,” said Zirk.

If Broken Arrow city councilors approve buying more salt, the city could spend up to $150,000 on salt.

Tulsa is ordering 15,000 tons of salt.

Last year Ohio used more than a million tons of salt.

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