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Salt is a complex pollutant and a significant threat to freshwater ecosystems. Among the issues NOT covered here are salt’s threat to the drinking water of millions. It can contaminate reservoirs and groundwater sources, and can alter chemistry to release toxins like lead. Salt brings up environmental justice issues, urban design issues, even issues with home appliances and plumbing via water softeners.
Salt may also be addressed regionally and even locally. A simple search will uncover a lot of stories in the media and give you an idea of how your area is affected. The list of resources below is regional in scope. Got a resource you think should be here? Use the form below.
LEMONADIST STORIES
Salting the seasons: Hilary Dugan
SMART SALTING
This page from Wisconsin Salt Wise can help you reduce your salt use: Salt Smart Winter Salting. If video is your jam, watch this 5 minute video.
NEW YORK
After long delays, New York released the final report of the Adirondack Road Salt Reduction Task Force. Includes a detailed technical appendix.
To see how advocacy organizations in the region are tackling the problem visit ADK Action Clean Water Safe Roads.
MINNESOTA
You can find general guidelines and information about salt pollution from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency There is also a Minnesota Stormwater Manual wiki detailing Smart Salting.
The Minnesota Department of Transportation also maintains a page focused on salt and sustainability.
ONTARIO
What the City of Toronto says about salt.
The Ontario Salt Pollution Coalition is the internet home for cooperative environmental advocacy on salt in the province. There’s also the Watersheds Canada road salt review and the recently release Watersheds Canada road salt education toolkit.
WISCONSIN
The most complete resource I found was the website for Wisconsin Salt Wise, a state-wide advocacy program to reduce salt pollution in Wisconsin, professionally staffed since 2020. As of this writing its Salt Wise YouTube channel has 75 videos, including presentations from experts and case studies.