As snow blankets the roads and chill bites the air, Montgomery County, along with WSSC Water, urges residents to be mindful of their salt use this winter season. A partnership between the County's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Department of Transportation (MCDOT), and the water utility aims to reduce the environmental and health hazards linked to excessive salting through their Salt-Wise campaign, which underscores practical eco-friendly winter maintenance techniques, according to a recent press release.
County Executive Marc Elrich pointed out the double-edged nature of salt – while it prevents slips and skids, its overuse poses a significant threat to the environment and the infrastructure, also it can contaminate our drinking water sources which then flows into significant water bodies like the Potomac and Patuxent rivers, “What goes on the ground flows into storm drains and eventually into the Potomac and Patuxent rivers. We all have a part to play in using salt wisely and protecting the quality of our water sources,” Elrich cautioned in the press release. The Salt-Wise campaign encourages residents to shovel early, use minimal salt - a mere coffee mug's worth can cover ten sidewalk squares or a 20-foot driveway - and to sweep up the residual to put to use later.
But the campaign stems from a deeper concern: increased salt levels are persistently climbing within our water sources, according to WSSC Water Production Director Ben Thompson, who voiced his concern over the lack of economical options for desalination during treatment processes, this issue particularly affects individuals adhering to a salt-restricted diet, “Our water is safe, but higher sodium levels can impact people on salt-restrictive diets, making it more important than ever to be Salt-Wise. Remember, one coffee mug of salt is all you need for 10 sidewalk squares or a 20-foot driveway!” Thompson elucidated, emphasizing the importance of the Salt-Wise message in the aforementioned press release.
