During the winter months, salt and sand applied to our roads, driveways and sidewalks contribute to lake and stream pollution. Fifty pounds of salt – one large bag – can pollute 10,000 gallons of water. That’s equivalent to one teaspoon of salt in a five-gallon bucket of water.
Viewer Tip: Many cities and states are working to reduce salt use while still keeping streets and sidewalks safe. Using less salt at home will help protect water quality in your neighborhood – and it will save money, too!
- Shovel first. Clear away as much snow and ice as possible before you use a deicer. Only use deicer on ice, not snow.
- Save your salt. Read the label and use salt sparingly. Use about 30 percent less salt by wetting it with some water before applying it to icy patches.
- Protect your plants. Keep salt away from salt-sensitive plants. Learn more about salt damage to plants at www.ces.purdue.edu/extmedia/id/id-412-w.pdf.
(Sources: Madison Area Municipal Stormwater Partnership.; Tom Scheuler. Snow, Road Salt, and the Chesapeake Bay. The Center for Watershed Protection.; Iowa State University, Centre for Transportation and Research Education. “Prewetting with Salt Brine.”)
