WISCONSIN –The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Wisconsin Salt Wise are encouraging the public to learn more about the impacts of road salt on drinking water and freshwater ecosystems during Winter Salt Awareness Week, observed from Monday, Jan. 26 through Friday, Jan. 30.
The DNR in a release said that although salt keeps Wisconsin roads safe during winter, using more salt than needed comes at a price.
“In Wisconsin and much of the U.S., chlorides from salt are infiltrating lakes, streams and groundwater,” the DNR stated. “According to Wisconsin Salt Wise, one teaspoon of salt is all it takes to make five gallons of water toxic for freshwater organisms.”
The DNR said it measures chloride levels in Wisconsin rivers over time, and recent studies have shown a steep increase in chloride loads.
“In the early 2000s, the DNR measured about 600,000 tons of chlorides annually,” the DNR said. “By 2018, that number increased to nearly 800,000 tons per year. Fifty rivers and streams and one lake in Wisconsin have been designated as impaired by high chloride concentrations, primarily from salt used during winter.”
"All 43 of the long-term trend water quality monitoring sites across Wisconsin are showing increases in chlorides," said Shannon Haydin, DNR Storm Water Section Manager. "Chlorides persist in the environment forever and cause significant impacts to fish, aquatic life and human health. In Wisconsin, we are seeing evidence of Fresh Water Salinization Syndrome, which is a condition where our freshwater becomes more like ocean water in terms of its saltiness. Now is the time to make a change and reduce salt use when we can."
These increased chloride loads are partly due to road salting, but chlorides also enter Wisconsin waters because of water softeners and fertilizers, according to the DNR. Find out if your softener is salt wise with a diagnostic tool available at www.wisaltwise.com/Take-Action/Home-Water-Softeners.
“Increased chloride levels have significant impacts on our daily lives, including environmental and economic effects,” the DNR stated. “Nationwide, winter salt causes $5 billion in damage to infrastructure each year, causing corrosion of bridges, roads and other infrastructure. Road salt can also impact pets by causing irritated paws or other health concerns if ingested.”
In Wisconsin, 38% of the community wells exceeded the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS)’ recommended sodium level for individuals on a low-salt diet of 20 mg/L at least once since 2004. “This can mean individuals managing diseases by limiting their salt intake may take in more salt than they are accounting for,” the DNR stated.
Salt tips For Wisconsin residents
The DNR said reducing salt use is critical to decreasing chloride loads. Follow these steps to right-size salt use.
Statewide reduction efforts
The DNR said it works to reduce chlorides at the source through permitting programs for municipalities and industries. These measures include tuning or replacing water softeners, identifying significant chloride contributors and finding reductions, process efficiencies or improvements by instituting sewer use ordinances.
“Additionally, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) works with Wisconsin counties to reduce road salt application using brine and pre-wetting road surfaces, both of which significantly reduce salt use,” the DNR said.
For more information on the DNR’s efforts to monitor chlorides and reduce their effects, visit the DNR’s Salt and Storm Water webpage.
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