It's not a stretch to think that a place known as the Sunshine Capital of Canada would have more of a challenge keeping the dust down than somewhere like Vancouver, which receives some of the highest annual rainfall amounts in the country.

Hence, the City of Estevan's bi-annual applications of concentrated and refined magnesium chloride to the streets.

Early each summer and again early in the fall, the roads get the application. The City released their annual tender in March for this year's dust control program, which includes the product and its application.

The only tender submitted that met specifications was from Fort Distributors. They've provided the service the last few years, according to the City.

The quoted price is $108.900 plus taxes, but the total cost could wind up lower as the product is charged to the City per litre.

NCS Minerals submitted a price to use calcium liquid chloride, which doesn't meet the City's specifications as it hasn't been tested by the City.

City of Estevan Roads and Drainage Manager Norm Mack recommended going with Fort Distributors, which council approved on Monday night.

The 2021 budget includes $125,000 for the program.

"There will be some small costs in relation to a couple of roads the RM controls on the City’s behalf," the report stated.

The report also addressed potential environmental concerns.

"[Magnesium chloride] is a naturally occurring mineral and is produced from the water of the Great Salt Lake in Utah. It is non-hazardous and under proper management and best practice guidelines poses no risk to the environment. Should a company wish to participate with a different product we are open to the idea of the company doing a test stretch for us for a one year term to see if it meets our standards and needs."

The RM of Estevan uses the same product for dust control.

Here are the streets that will receive the application:

Once a Year


Industrial Communications King St. East – 192 m
Coronation St. – 169 m
Luscar Park – 520 m
Eva Street – 22 m
Icon Center – 223 m
Yardley Place Back Lane – 191 m


Twice a Year


6th Street & 2nd Ave - 1932 m
Escana Street - 1680 m
1600 blk 1st Street Back Lane- 200m
Devonian East from Kensington to Superior
Mississippian - 654 m
Imperial - 668 m
Superior - 668 m
Hwy 47 South Service Road - 601 m
Hwy 47 North Service Road - 814 m (pending)
Drader Street - 194 m (pending)
Collins Road South - 372 m
City Yard Maintenance Road & City Yard - 430 m
200 Blk 3rd Street - 155 m
Perkins Street - 357 m
City Landfill - 250 m
Kensington South - 230 m
39 East Service Road -743 m
Boey Way Cemetery Road 300 m
8th Ave South – 100 m