DIA Recycles 70 Percent Of Deicing Fluid

Feb. 26, 2015
Excess deicing fluid travels through a series of pipes into 13 ponds at the airport.

DENVER – During heavy snowfall, Denver International Airport tries to make every drop of deicing fluid count.

The airport estimates crews will use 145,000 gallons of deicing fluid on planes a day during snow storms. DIA spokesperson Heath Montgomery says the airport will eventually recycle most of the fluid that ends up on the tarmac.

Montgomery says airlines use up to 100 gallons per aircraft, and DIA has about 1,450 flights a day on average.

Excess deicing fluid travels through a series of pipes into 13 ponds at the airport. Once the ponds fill up, the deicing fluid is recycled at an on-site facility. Montgomery says the ponds can hold up to 70 million gallons of liquid.

More details here.