After the weekend’s storm, it can be tempting to go heavy on the road salt to keep our sidewalks and driveways free of ice and snow during the current deep freeze. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) warns against excessive road salt use, however, because the excess washes into rivers and streams, threatening wildlife and drinking water.
The CBF urges Maryland agencies, community associations, and residents to use road salt sparingly because it is an unpurified version of table salt, sodium chloride. It does a good job melting ice off the roadways, but it is dangerous for our waterways, and it is often over-applied. After application, salt accumulates on streets, sidewalks, and cars. Eventually the excess flows into the nearest river or stream when the snow melts or it rains.
Rapid spikes in salinity levels can harm or kill freshwater fish and other aquatic species, and it can contaminate drinking water sources…