How to Safely Apply Salt in the Winter

December 7, 2023
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We are all familiar with the crunch of salt underfoot after a snowstorm in Montgomery County. But where does this salt go after the snow and ice has melted? What are the environmental, health, and economic consequences of excessive salt usage in the Winter?

What is the problem?

Salt left sitting on roads and sidewalks will eventually runoff into nearby streams, changing the salinity of the water and soils and, therefore, creating a potentially toxic environment for local fish, birds, animals, and plants. Pets also suffer from exposure to road salt as it can cause irritation or injury to their paws, toes, and skin. If pets lick their paws after a walk, they may ingest a toxic amount of sodium. Additionally, excessive road salt corrodes concrete, masonry, aluminum, and steel, and causes scaling in pipes. This drives up maintenance and repair costs for damaged roads, bridges, buildings, pipes, and vehicles.

 

 

 

What can we do at home? 

So how do we minimize the negative environmental and economic effects of road salt usage? The first step for county residents is to shovel early, before ice forms on pavement, and often. If a de-icer is still necessary, read the directions on products carefully and evenly spread a small amount to loosen up the ice. Twelve ounces of road salt melts about ten sidewalk squares. It is highly recommended, however, to use organic, salt-free, and pet-safe alternatives for defrosting surfaces. Calcium magnesium acetate (CMA), for example, is more eco-friendly and about as corrosive as tap water. Sand can also be used to add traction to slippery surfaces. After the ice has melted, make sure to sweep up any remaining salt or product and store it to reuse at a later date. This saves residents money and reduces the amount of harmful substances that runoff into local streams and rivers.

We must all do our part in Montgomery County to keep our watershed, wildlife, friends, family, and pets healthy. So next time it snows, remember: Shovel, Sprinkle, and Sweep because using road salt wisely benefits everyone! Stay safe and enjoy the snow!

Learn more at MontgomeryCountyMD.Gov/salt

Guest blog by: Emma Frank, Summer 2020 DEP Watershed Restoration Intern.

Websites with more resources: 

 



One comment on "How to Safely Apply Salt in the Winter"

  1. Deb Briceland-Betts says:
    January 5, 2024 at 1:23 pm

    We are monitors with an environmental nonprofit. We test the water in North West Branch monthly and after snow events for chloride.

    We’re concerned about the use of salt in the parking lot of Pine Crest elementary school which is in the Montgomery county public school system. The school is up the hill from NW Branch. After the light snow event earlier in December, there were mounds of salt all over the lot which were washed down to NWBranch by a heavy rain a few days later. Please educate school administrators on alternative chlorides and the proper use od salt, including immediately removing remaining salt after an event.

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