Halt the Road (Salt) Assault
Feb 18, 2023 - By Marianne Ariganello (OSEAN), extract edited by the HCCA Environment Committee
Photo courtesy of the Ottawa River Keeper
It’s the time of year when we either take out the shovels or take out the road salt.
De-icing your steps and driveway using traditional road salt comes at a steep environmental and financial price. Environmentally it increases the salinity (salt content) of soils, damages plants, contaminates ground and surface water, and leads to the death of aquatic life. Financially, because salt is corrosive, it damages fabric, metal (cars, trucks, bicycles) and our roads. This can total more than $5 billion a year.
This year, before reaching for the salt, consider what you want to achieve. Do you need to completely melt the ice and snow on your driveway? Or do you just need to make sure there is a safe path to walk for you, your neighbours and your kids (four-legged or two)? If you want to minimize your financial and environmental impact answer these three questions:
Am I choosing the right product?
Am I using the right amount?
Am I applying it at the right time?
To find the answers to these questions, visit the link on OSEAN’s website: https://ottawasouthecoactionnetwork.ca/halt-the-road-salt-assault/.
Preserving our green space and biodiversity takes place all year round, including through our choices during the winter months to maintain our environment safe and accessible.