Thursday, November 20, 2025
As winter approaches, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) is urging residents, businesses and municipalities to take simple steps to reduce the impact of road salt on local waterways and drinking water sources.
The authority says salt is essential for winter safety, but over-application, poor storage and improper snow placement can send chloride—the main component of road salt—into rivers, streams and groundwater. Chloride does not break down over time, meaning event small amounts can accumulate and harm aquatic ecosystems or affect drinking water quality.
“Once salt dissolves, it doesn’t disappear,” UTRCA said in its statement. “When salt is over-applied or improperly stored, it can have long-lasting impacts on our local waterways and drinking water sources.”
UTRCA is asking property owners and winter maintenance crews to adopt best practices to limit runoff, including:
- Applying salt wisely: Use only as much as needed and avoid applying it when temperatures fall below –10 C, when salt becomes less effective. The authority also recommends calibrated spreaders on larger properties or in municipal operations to ensure even distribution and encourages crews to sweep up leftover salt after thawing.
- Store salt safely: Keep salt piles covered and on impermeable surfaces, and ensure storage areas are located away from wells, storm drains and ditches. Regular inspections can help prevent leaks or pooling water.
- Choose snow storage sites carefully: Snow piles often contain salt and debris, UTRCA notes. Designated storage areas should be set back from watercourses and equipped with vegetated buffers to help filter runoff.
The conservation authority says balancing winter road safety with drinking water protection is possible with thoughtful planning and awareness. By managing salt and snow responsibility, residents and municipalities can help keep local drinking water sources clean.
