Options for Living in a Salty Winterland

 

By Lisa G. Ryan

The term “watershed” describes an area of land that drains into a particular body of water. Within each watershed, streams become progressively larger as more water enters this natural drainage system until they enter their receiving waters (i.e. the Hackensack River).  At the same time, water also moves through underground aquifers. Because water moves downhill, any activity that affects water quality, quantity or rate of movement at one location can change the characteristics of the watershed downstream. In winter, sodium chloride (rock salt) becomes a major problem when snow and ice melt and contaminate streams and groundwater with salty runoff.

Despite this annual occurrence, the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations issued in 1988 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) did not find sodium to be a toxic chemical and eliminated it as a regulated drinking water contaminant. Here in New Jersey however, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has determined that “elevated salt concentrations in the Oradell Reservoir in Bergen County can pose a health hazard for water customers with high blood pressure.” Water companies periodically receive complaints about salty-tasting tap water in winter.

The impacts of chloride (the other half of rock salt) and meltwater pollution can be much more severe. Chloride is harmful to many forms of aquatic life (especially young fish) at concentrations of about 1,000 parts per million (0.1%). Unfortunately, chloride amounts in many small streams and wetlands often rise above this level during the winter. Additionally, salted roads create an artificial “salt lick” that attracts many different species of wildlife, that all too often become road kill. Numerous plant species are extremely sensitive to high soil chloride levels, and may be killed, die back or fail to germinate under those conditions.

Road salt in runoff has been included in local and regional plans in New Jersey, and watershed management plans in Bergen County include efforts to reduce quantities of road salt contaminating the Oradell Reservoir. Promising new technologies and techniques to reduce salt contamination are also being considered. They include: alternative deicing products, salt domes to store road salt more safely, the use of calibrated spreaders to apply appropriate amounts and improved driver training. More sophisticated forecasting methods to treat roads at the proper time and the designation of low salt application zones near environmentally sensitive areas are also being reviewed.

 

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Homeowners can also make better choices in how they use deicing chemicals. If you need a chemical deicer, liquid sprays are more efficient than granular products because they cover a larger surface area. Most importantly, use chemical deicers before a storm hits (a concept called anti-icing). Chemical alternatives to salt and sand are becoming more commercially available, but their availability in small quantities for homeowners remains limited.

Shovel Early and Often. When it comes to snow removal, there is no substitute for muscle and elbow grease. Deicers work best when there is only a thin layer of snow or ice that must be melted. If you are physically able to do so, get out the snow shovel and move as much snow as you can during the storm. A flat hoe can also help to scrape ice off the surface before any deicers are applied. Physical methods are always preferable to chemicals but in some climates or areas with heavy traffic, chemical deicers may be necessary to keep roads and sidewalks safe

Apply Salt Early, but Sparingly. The recommended application rate for rock salt is about a handful per square yard treated. Using more salt than this won't speed up the melting process! Experts recommend using calcium chloride instead of sodium chloride because it works at much lower temperatures and can be applied at a much lower rate (about a handful for every three square yards treated - or about the area of a bed).

Sand, kitty litter and ashes are more environmentally friendly and provide some traction, but do not melt snow and ice. Kitty litter and ashes tend to get gooey and messy when things warm up. Sand is much cheaper and easier to sweep up, but it's still not a great choice for the environment. If sand is not swept up from roads every spring, it can clog storm drains and cause flooding. When it reaches rivers and lakes, sand buries aquatic floor life, fills in natural habitats and clouds water. Sand also absorbs and carries contaminants like oil and grease into bodies of water.

Check the Label. The table on page 4 provides a summary of the pros and cons of the various main ingredients of common deicing products. Check the label closely to see what you are buying.

 

Sources: Envirocast Newsletter, MotherEarthNews.com, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Ohio Department of Transportation, Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board.