When winter arrives, we often see roads and sidewalks covered in salt to keep them safe. While this road salt helps prevent accidents for drivers and pedestrians, it has some serious downsides.
As snow melts or when it rains, salt can wash away into local waterways, harming fish and other aquatic life. It can also seep into the ground and contaminate drinking water sources, which can be risky for people with health issues like high blood pressure. This problem is long-lasting; once salt gets into the environment, it can stick around for decades.
Experts suggest that communities can do a better job by using less salt. For instance, applying brine—a mixture of salt and water—can help lower salt usage. Amanda Carneiro Marques, a professor at Drexel University, notes that if everyone is more mindful of their salt use, we can collectively benefit the environment.
Many households actually use more salt per property than public agencies do. For example, some studies show that private salt application rates can be several times higher than those used by local governments. That’s a surprising fact that can make a big difference if tackled.
One way residents can cut back on salt is by following a simple rule: use just one coffee mug of salt for every ten sidewalk squares. This small change can greatly reduce runoff into local water systems.
Additionally, if snow is less than expected, it’s a smart idea to clean up any leftover salt. That way, it doesn’t have a chance to wash away when the weather changes. Researcher Steven Goldsmith suggests keeping your property on a “salt diet” to help manage this issue.
Overall, awareness and small actions can lead to substantial improvements in our water quality and environmental conditions. Let’s work together to keep our roads safe while also protecting our waterways.
Check out this related article: Is Labour Prioritizing Airport Expansion Over Environmental Protection? Unpacking the Debate
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