The Sunday, Feb. 15 article on salt and sand for icy pavement ("A low-salt diet for the Northland's icy roads?") mentioned that sand builds up in sewers and streams.
Homes and businesses that need to treat limited areas of slick walkways can use seeds instead of sand. Raw popping corn can be broken with a hammer to form a sharp, tough grit. Buckwheat seed is sharply triangular and just needs to be spread. It can be bought from feed and seed dealers.
After they have served the purpose of adding friction, many of these bits will be eaten by birds, squirrels, rabbits or mice before ever reaching a sewer. Or they'll break down on the ground after the weather warms. Those that do wind up in the water also will break down.
David Schimpf
Duluth
