Clearing Snow & Ice: City & Public Responsibility

It is important to review key information on mitigating snow and ice. The City of White Rock and the public both have responsibilities to keep our roads and sidewalks safe.

Salt

The City of White Rock cannot offer salt to the public. The City must maintain its supply in order to ensure that we are able to keep major roads and civic facilities safe. With snowfall and major winter weather systems in the upcoming forecast, our salt sheds must be kept at a certain level in order to be able to meet the anticipated demand.

Salt can be purchased at a variety of local hardware stores. You are encouraged to call ahead to inquire about store supplies. You can also contact industrial suppliers to purchase salt. As an alternative, you may wish to contact a landscaping company for snow and ice removal.

City Responsibilities during Snowy & Icy Conditions

City crews work hard in order to keep roads and civic facilities safe in winter conditions. The City dispatches crews based on the priority of the route and severity of conditions. The City also works with police, fire and ambulance emergency services to clear roads when necessary for an emergency response. We dispatch equipment as needed and apply a pre-salt to road surfaces to be prepared ahead of the first snowfall on the road to provide traction and mitigate ice forming before we initiate our Snow and Ice Control Plan.

To make the most of the available resources, our priority locations for snow and ice removal are:

  • Bus routes
  • Emergency access routes (including Peace Arch Hospital)
  • Major roads ( Priority 1 and 2 )

To clear snow and ice, we use:

  • 1 Brine machine
  • 1 John Deere Industrial snow blower
  • 1 Parks Department single axle dump truck
  • 1 Parks Tractor
  • 1 Public Works single axle dump truck
  • 1 Salt shed
  • 2 Backhoes
  • 2 Parks Department single axle trucks with plows
  • 2 Public Works F-550 trucks with plows and salters
Snow Plow

Public Responsibilities during Snowy & Icy Conditions

Residents and businesses are required to clear snow and ice from sidewalks surrounding their property by 10 a.m. following a snowfall as per City Bylaw No. 1529 (PDF). Thank you for doing your part to be a good neighbour and for helping to keep our community safe.

When out shovelling, please take a moment to clear any drains adjacent to your property, especially during melting conditions. Blocked catch basins may result in excess water along the road area, which can become dangerous if it subsequently freezes. Blocked catch basins may result in flooding of adjacent properties depending on the extent of the blockage and the amount of melting snow.

Tips for Shovelling Snow

  • Cold, tight muscles are prone to injury, so try going for a brisk walk, marching in place or doing any other full-body activity before shovelling.
  • Pace yourself by removing small amounts of snow frequently instead of removing a large pile all at once.
  • Shovel snow into your yard, not onto the street. Excess snow shovelled onto the street can become an obstacle and create unsafe conditions.
  • Spread sand, rock salt or kitty litter on your sidewalk or driveway to increase traction and reduce accidents.
  • Take a 10 or 15-minute break during shovelling and stretch out your arms, shoulders and back to keep them warm and flexible.
  • Use an ergonomic snow shovel with a curved or adjustable handle to make snow removal easier.
  • Use the shovel to push snow to one side rather than lifting it. If lifting is necessary, bend your knees to take the strain off your back.
  • Wear shoes or boots with good treads to minimize the risk of slipping.