DPW spokeswoman says Milwaukee in good shape with salt supply

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- City of Milwaukee crews were out on Thursday, February 7th plowing and salting the streets as the snow fell.

Wanda Booker with the City of Milwaukee's Public Works Department says Milwaukee is in good shape when it comes to salt supply.

"Don't worry -- we won't run out. We used about 10,000 tons in December and right now we're sitting at about 34,000 tons of salt," Booker said.

That number accounts for more than half of its total supply this winter season, but DPW has to act fast once there's 15,000 remaining.

"We have the ability to get more salt from our vendor. It's built into our contract, so I don't ever worry about completely running out," Booker said.

James Warner is a truck driver who was waiting his turn to load up with salt at Jones Island.  Warner says 40-50 trucks run through Jones Island by the hour, coming from Fond du Lac, Oshkosh and even Illinois.

Warner said he anticipated to be working around the clock on Thursday, hauling salt to the City of Milwaukee's sheds.

"We're working all this week and all next week for sure. As long as this weather keeps up, we're working every day," Warner said.

Booker says she does not anticipate the City of Milwaukee's Public Works Department will run through its entire salt supply this season. If that were to happen, residents in Milwaukee would be billed around October or November through their water bill. The cost averages out to about $33 per property.