Mid-Winter Reminder: Salt, Snow, and Protecting Our Drinking Water 

As winter settles in and snow and ice become part of our daily routines, road salt and snow removal play an important role in keeping sidewalks, driveways, and roads safe. However, mid-winter is also a key time to pause and think about how these winter practices can impact our drinking water sources. 

Why Winter Matters for Source Water Protection 

It’s easy to assume that frozen ground protects our water, but winter conditions can actually increase risks. When salt is applied to roads, parking lots, and walkways, it doesn’t simply disappear. Instead, it builds up in snowbanks and on hard surfaces. During warmer days, rain events, or spring melt, this salt is carried by runoff into storm drains, creeks, rivers, and groundwater, many of which are sources of our drinking water. 

Chloride from road salt is persistent. Unlike some pollutants, it does not break down over time and can gradually accumulate in the environment, making it harder and more expensive to treat drinking water and harming aquatic life. 

Snow Storage 

Where snow is piled during winter matters just as much as how much salt is used. Snowbanks often contain a mix of salt, sand, debris, and other contaminants. When snow is stored near catch basins, drainage ditches, watercourses, or wells, melting snow can carry these pollutants directly into water systems. 

Thoughtful snow storage, away from storm drains and sensitive areas, helps reduce the amount of salt and contaminants reaching local water sources. 

Simple Actions You Can Take This Winter 

Everyone has a role to play in protecting drinking water, even during the coldest months. Here are a few easy, effective steps residents can take: 

• Use salt sparingly: A little goes a long way. One mug of salt is often enough for a standard driveway or sidewalk. 
• Shovel first: Remove snow and ice mechanically before applying salt—it works better and reduces the amount needed. 
• Sweep up excess salt: If salt is visible after ice has melted, sweep it up and reuse it. 
• Choose safer alternatives: Sand or grit can improve traction without adding chloride to the environment. 
• Be mindful near storm drains and wells: Avoid applying salt near catch basins, ditches, or private wells. 
• Store salt properly: Keep salt covered and dry to prevent spills and runoff. 

Protecting Water Year-Round 

Winter may feel quiet, but it is a critical time for source water protection. The choices we make now, how we use salt, where we pile snow, and how we manage winter runoff, can all have lasting impacts on the quality of our drinking water. 

By making small changes to our winter habits, we can help ensure clean, safe drinking water for our community today and for our future.