What is Rock Salt? - Rock salt, or winter salt, is a coarser form of table salt, which is all  sodium chloride. Ice melt includes similar compounds magnesium chloride, or calcium chloride. 
Why are we concerned about Salt? 
According to the American Geosciences Institute, Ohio is the 3rd largest U.S. producer of rock salt (5.4 million metric tons), and 2nd highest consumer of rock salt (3.5 million metric tons). The use of salt has more than doubled over the past four decades, leading to the discovery of salt-based issues ranging from ecological harm, infrastructure issues, and health concerns for humans and pets. 
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U.S. Geological Survey, 2017, Salt statistics, in Kelly, T.D., and Matos, G.R., comps., Historical statistics for mineral and material commodities in the United States: U.S. Geological Survey Data Series 140, available online at: https://www.usgs.gov/media/files/salt-historical-statistics-data-series-140-2017-update
Watch our Winter 'Seasonal Stormwater Series' video to learn more!​

Benefits of using Rock Salt  - safety!

  • Fewer slip and fall injuries.​  
  • Reduced frequency of vehicle crashes.
  • Allows businesses and schools to safely  continue their day to day operations during winter time.​

Problems with too much Salt

  • Humans: More salt on land and in surface water means more salt in groundwater and drinking water, too. Salt is not removed by traditional water treatment processes. Saltier drinking water can contribute to health concerns in humans such as increased blood pressure.
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This map shows the locations of Ohio EPA and Miami Conservancy District monitoring wells and which wells show elevated and/or increasing trends in groundwater salinity in the Great Miami Buried Valley Aquifer.
  • Infrastructure: Saltier drinking water can also lead to infrastructure issues. Sodium chloride is corrosive, so higher salinity in drinking water means metal pipes and pumps corrode more quickly. Salt is also corrosive to vehicles and other property.
  • Land animals: Salt on roadways can attract deer and other animals who come to lick the salt, which can increase roadkill and accidents involving animals. Eating rock salt can also be dangerous for pets.
  • Aquatic animals: Increased salinity in waterways  can be harmful, and even toxic, to aquatic insects, plants, fish, and amphibians. ​​
  • Soil & Plants:  Salt reduces permeability of soils, and causes nutrients and metals to leach out of the soil into the environment. Plants will struggle to grow in salty soils, and can be damaged/killed by excess salt - this is why there is sometimes a strip of dead grass along roads or driveways in spring.

Best Practices for Residents, Businesses, and Property Managers

1. SHOVEL EARLY - Shoveling your sidewalk and driveway early is the easiest, most cost effective way to reduce the need for salt use. This prevents daytime snowmelt from re-freezing into hazard ice.​​​
  • Watch the weather - Normal rock salt (sodium chloride) only works at temperatures above 15°F, so do not apply salt below that threshold. Only apply salt where ice is already formed, and if the temperature is predicted to rise above freezing, then let the sun do the work for you!
2. USE LESS - One of the biggest, and most expensive, mistakes homeowners make is overapplying. Read the product label for recommended amounts - a good rule of thumb is that a 12 oz. coffee mug is enough to treat 10 sidewalk squares, or a 20-foot driveway. Using less also saves money!
  • Spread evenly - More is not better. Salt is very effective spread evenly and not in clumps, with space between the granules. A fertilizer spreader can be helpful when spreading on a driveway. Try to avoid getting salt in your yard - it is not needed and can damage your lawn. 
3. SWEEP & REUSE - Another great money-saving tip, sweep up and collect remaining undissolved salt once the ice has melted. This can be reused the next time around.
  • Store properly - No good can come of your salt literally 'washing down the drain' if it is not stored properly. If stored outdoors, keep covered and contained so rain or snowmelt don't take your salt with it. ​

Salt Alternatives

If you want to avoid using salt altogether, here are some good options to consider. 
  • Ice Melt (MgCl) - Readily available, magnesium chloride ice melt is better for the environment and for pets, and remains effective to -13°F. It typically requires a higher amount to be effective than rock salt, meaning it can be more expensive if needed in large quantities. 
  • Ice Melt (CaCl) - Readily available calcium chloride ice melt is the safest option of all salts and ice melts (for pets and environment). Is it effective to the lowest temperature (-25°F!), but it is also the most expensive.
The 'sodium' portion of salts causes the most problems, but elevated 'chloride' levels are also a problem in our waterways. Here are some options to consider that are free of both elements. 
  • Coffee grounds - Warm up with a cup of joe, then sprinkle the grounds on the ice outside.
  • Alfalfa meal - Used on its own or mixed with coffee grounds, alfalfa meal is an effective natural alternative.
  • Sand - Sand is very inexpensive, and works by creating traction rather than melting the ice. It can even be mixed with salt to reduce the amount of salt needed. Sand can cause other water quality issues, and should be swept up after use. 
  • Birdseed - Another option that works by creating traction, and not melting the ice. If you like to feed the birds and squirrels anyway, this is a great option for you. You'll have to replace it once it gets eaten if the ice is not gone, but at least the clean up isn't your job!

Resources

For Residents​​​
  • Salt Smart tip card
For Businesses & Property Managers
coming soon!
  • Selecting a snow removal company​
For Municipalities
  • OEPA Salt Storage Guidance
oepa_saltstorageguidance.pdf
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