salt ➡️

Salt is applied to roads and walkways to melt ice and snow every winter across much of the US. As melting occurs, the salt dissolves and drains along with the water, usually into a storm drain - and most storm drains go directly into local waterways.

Salt buildup is hurting aquatic life and the health of our surface waters. Over time, chloride will work its way into groundwater as well. It is difficult and very expensive to remove chloride from tap water - and our drinking water sources are getting saltier every year.

Learn More

↓

Road salt ends up in Minnesota lakes and rivers. Photo: flickr.com/mango_sparrow (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
blog

Environmental Effects of Salt

September 29, 2021 | By Tiffany Bui
While it is possible for salt levels to stabilize in freshwater systems, this will take decades of stabilized and reduced road salt usage. This problem will only grow more difficult to fix if action is not taken.
blog

Salt: Health and Safety

September 29, 2021 | By Tiffany Bui
Excess salt in the environment does not only threaten safety when it is consumed. Corrosion costs more than $22 billion each year to just the public water supply alone. In addition, chlorides can damage bridges, pavement, cars, and storm water facilities, leading to a host of different safety concerns.
Rusting and Corroding Pipe
blog

How Salt Gets in the Environment

September 29, 2021 | By Emily Ranson and Tiffany Bui
Human inputs of salt increase concentrations far beyond naturally occurring levels, threatening ecosystem balance. While salt can enter the environment through many different activities, road salt usage is the most significant contributor to salt pollution.
blog

How Salty is Maryland?

September 29, 2021 | By Emily Ranson and Tiffany Bui
The Potomac River, which supplies drinking water to more than 5 million people, is three times saltier than 30 years ago. It is crucial that we halt this trend before more people lose access to safe drinking water.
List of chloride impaired waters
Search Clean Water