Making Salt Sense

Photo courtesy of NEO-PIPE

We can all agree salt helps keep our roadways, sidewalks, driveways, and parking lots safe. However, too much salt does not make our streams, rivers, and lakes healthy for aquatic life. Like humans, aquatic organisms have toxicity thresholds, including thresholds for sodium chloride.

Most of our salt is a mixture of sodium and chloride. Because chloride is more toxic to aquatic ecosystems, scientists focus on the chloride side of salt. Chloride enters a water system from stormwater runoff or snow melt and either is absorbed into the ground or travels into nearby streams or conveyance systems that ultimately lead to drinking water sources.  The unfortunate news about chloride is it cannot be filtered out of water.

There is no easy answer to the question about salt application, but what we do know is this- One 12 oz. coffee mug of salt is enough for 10 sidewalk squares or 250 square feet. What a great way to re- purpose an old coffee mug, save money on salt application, and benefit the environment!

Happy and safe winter wishes from the members of AWARE!