Summit SWCD promotes winter salt awareness 

The use of road salt on streets and sidewalks during the Northeast Ohio winter season is a necessary evil that residents have come to expect. Most may not realize, however, that road salt is extremely harmful to our surface and groundwater and the species that depend on freshwater. The salt has a cumulative effect, adding up over the years and permanently remaining in the water supply. One teaspoon of salt will pollute five gallons of water. 

Property owners can manage their winter salt usage for safety and protect water quality at the same time with these tips:

  • Shovel your snow early and often. This reduces the amount of salt you need to de-ice the surface. Also, pile your snow in various locations so salt is not concentrated in one spot when the snow melts.
  • Keep salt away from storm drains; they are direct routes for runoff into the stream.
  • Follow the application instructions on your de-icer. Less is more.
  • Apply salt only to the walkways you use all the time.
  • Remember temperature limitations. Road salt is ineffective below 15 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Sweep up the extra road salt. That will also keep it off your grass and out of your soil.
  • Use a potassium acetate de-icer if you have pets and wash their feet after walking them.
  • One 8-ounce coffee cup of salt will de-ice 250 square feet, which is the same as 10 sidewalk squares. 

Visit myplate.gov/tip-sheet/be-salt-smart for more information or visit sswcd.summitoh.net.