The Impact of Salt

Help Keep Salt Out of Our Water

1. Break up the Ice. Break up the ice before reaching for the salt. Try using a steel ice chopper to break up the ice.
2. Create traction. Switch to sand, grit and non-clumping kitty litter when it's too cold for salt to work. It won't melt the ice but will provide traction to reduce the potential to slip.
3. Prevent ice to reduce slip and fall hazards. Direct downspouts away from walkways and driveways, and keep eaves throughs and storm drains clear. Less ice means less salt.
4. Clear away the snow first. Remove the snow as soon as possible before it gets packed down and turns to ice. Do not use salt to melt snow - save salt for icy areas only.
5. Use salt wisely. Only use salt on icy areas and give it time to work. In many cases, about one tablespoon of salt for a one-metre square area is all you need.

How Salt Impacts Water Quality 

1. Salt incudes products with chloride. Whether the product says salt, ice melter, pet friendly, environmentally friendly or 100% natural - if it melts ice, it most likely contains chloride and is damaging to water.
2. Salt impacts water quality. Salt doesn't go away after it melts the ice. Over time, the salt we put on the grounf can end up in our drinking water causing it to taste salty. 
3. Where does all that salt go? Salt doesn't go away after it melts the ice. It may soak into the ground to mix with groundwater or drain into a storm basin that empties into a local waterway.

How Salt Impacts Us All 

1. Our boots will thank you. To stop salting completely might not be an option but using a little less may mean fewer salt-stained winter boots.
2. Our buildings will thank you. To stop salting completely might not be an option but using a little less may mean fewer repairs from salt damage to buildings. 
3. Our children will thank you To stop salting completely might not be an option but using a little less helps protect drinking water for future generations.