Montgomery County, in collaboration with the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, has announced the launch of its 2025 SaltWise campaign—a concerted effort to promote sustainable salt practices as residents face icy weather conditions. This initiative is a call to action for individuals and businesses to adopt responsible salt-use habits to reduce the detrimental impact on the environment and water quality.
In an effort to address these concerns, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich has voiced encouragement for responsible salt use. "Salt is essential for ensuring safety during winter storms, its overuse can have significant environmental and health consequences," Elrich told an official press release. He highlights that an overabundance of salt not only infiltrates our waterways but also threatens public health and ecosystem vitality. Echoing the campaign's message, the SaltWise guidelines suggest shoveling early and frequently, using a measured amount of salt, and sweeping up excess after storms.
WSSC Water's Deputy General Manager of Operations, Aklile Tesfaye, raised an alarm regarding the increasing salt levels detected in local water sources. "Salt levels in our drinking water sources – the Potomac and Patuxent Rivers – have significantly increased over the past three decades," Tesfaye disclosed in a county statement. As there is no cost-effective means to remove salts during filtration, Tesfaye urges the community to use salt sparingly, reaffirming its potential health risks for those with sodium-restrictive diets.
The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is also in on the campaign, advocating for mindful salt use. DEP Director Jon Monger stated, "Salt is a key tool for sidewalks, driveways, and roads during winter storms, but its overuse can harm local wildlife and our drinking water." These comments underline the delicate balance between maintaining public safety and preserving environmental integrity. This multifaceted approach also sees the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) minimizing excessive salt use with strategic storm management and the use of advanced equipment.
In concert with government measures, public involvement is crucial. Residents are urged to assist by reporting any witnessed overuse of salt on roadways by calling 3-1-1 within the County or 240-777-0311 for assistance with County roads. More details about residential and commercial salt usage best practices can be found on the county's dedicated website, and the Winter Storm Information Portal will keep the public updated on snow plowing schedules and road maintenance. For media outlets, SaltWise campaign videos and storm preparation b-roll are available, intent on spreading the word far and wide about the importance of being SaltWise.
