The Scoop on Winter Salt: How it Could Impact the Environment

By Windham’s Natural Resources Advisory Committee

Mainers are no strangers to the winter season and its necessary snow/ice maintenance. This maintenance keeps people safe during snow or freezing weather for activities such as commuting to work, visiting family during the holidays, dropping kids off at school, or even walking your furry friend. However, the many benefits that road salting provides are matched by some opportunities for improvement. Road salt can contaminate drinking water, kill or endanger wildlife, increase soil erosion, and damage private and public property.

It only takes a tablespoon of salt to contaminate
5 gallons of water. COURTESY OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY SOIL & WATER
CONSERVATION DISTRICT

Maine has 45,586 miles of public roadways, more miles per person than any other New England state. In 2020, it was estimated that 493,000 tons of rock salt, 787 pounds for every Maine resident, were used on public infrastructure. This does not include other impervious surfaces such as private roads, driveways, sidewalks, or parking lots. Therefore, when salt melts snow and ice, it flows over miles and miles of impervious surfaces to nearby waterbodies, such as lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams.

It only takes a single teaspoon of salt to contaminate five gallons of water. Once salt dissolves, it does not degrade over time. In fact, salt is incredibly challenging and costly to remove from water. This is a major problem for smaller, intermittent streams because there is no constant flow or higher amounts of water that larger waterbodies contain. Therefore, they can become degraded and impaired during rain or melting events. Also, excessive salt can be toxic to fish, amphibians and insects which are vital to a healthy habitat.

Additionally, "excess road salt accumulates on roadside areas killing roadside plants and harming wildlife that eat the salt crystals. Salty roads also attract animals like deer and moose (who love licking up the salt), increasing the probability of accidents and roadkill.”

While no perfect solution exists to keep our roads clear in the winter without salt, we can reduce the amount used by utilizing proper planning and application practices.

Here are some tips to reduce the amount of winter salt applied:

Reposition downspouts: Make sure downspouts are pointed away from paved (or other hardened) areas so that water is not draining onto your walkways or driveways where it can re-freeze.

Reposition snow piles: Shovel unsalted snow to lower areas of your property or onto lawns to direct melting snow away from paved areas.

Shovel early and often: It makes sense that when you remove snow and ice by shoveling, you will need less salt and the de-icing material will be more effective. Begin your cleanup work as early as you can and keep up with the snowfall (unless freezing rain is forecasted to follow the snow) so the sun can get to the pavement/sidewalk and melt it away.

Use an ice chipper: A specialized ice-chopping tool (not an ice pick) will allow you to work faster and more efficiently removing ice or a hard buildup of snow than a standard snow shovel.

Apply only what is needed: Sprinkle de-icing material on icy areas and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for working temperatures and application rates. Winter salt is most effective between 10-32 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature is above or below, then consider alternatives such as using a small amount of sand for traction or chopping and removing the built-up snow/ice with an ice chipper or shovel.

Plan Ahead: Research de-icing materials before purchasing to determine which is best for your specific location and need. Not all products have the same ingredients. Consider purchasing a de-icer that is chloride free.

For more information, please contact Windham’s Environmental & Sustainability Coordinator, Gretchen Anderson (gaanderson@windhammaine.us). <