Water Watchers call for a stop to salt

Rain finally returned to southern Ontario this week, but in a few short months, rain will turn to snow and millions of tonnes of salt will start being spread across the province. The Canadian Blue Community (Wellington) Water Watchers call for action:

What happens to the roads, parking lots, driveways, and sidewalks happens to the water.

We are sending ridiculous amounts of excess salt into Ontario waterways and groundwater. It endangers critical habitat and drinking water sources for millions of people.

Take Action Now!

Water Watchers coordinates the Ontario Salt Pollution Coalition who are working day-in and day-out to create pathways to a less salty future for our collective waters.

While we are working with municipal representatives to reduce salt application now, we need coordinated provincial-level action to address salt pollution.

You can tell key decisionmakers Andrea Khanjin, Doug Downey, and Doug Ford that you support provincial action on salt pollution with this 1-click email tool!

Take Action on Salt Pollution Now!

“But what are the alternatives?”

We get this question A LOT, so we are sharing a (non-exhaustive) list of short- and long-term solutions that can help address salt pollution today and into the future.

Short-Term Solutions

Mandatory Smart About Salts Certification
Improved Equipment Calibration
Reduced Winter Speed Limits
More Plowing

Requiring Winter Tires
Creating Salt-Free Zones in Source Water Protection Areas
Use of Other Appropriate Physical & Chemical De-icers (sand, wood chips, beet juice)

Long-Term Solutions

Limited Liability for Contractors to protect winter maintenance businesses from frivolous lawsuits and allow them to put down less salt
Legislation to Protect Water from salt pollutions, such as provincial water quality objectives, defined maximum salt loads for freshwater bodies based on inhabitants & functions, or province-wide salt-free zones
Enforcement of emerging winter maintenance regulations and legislation
Adequately Funding Water Protection and Restoration Initiatives, including any provincial regulatory, legislative, or enforcement work need to implement solutions to address salt pollution
Adoption of New Technology & Design Solutions such as using wastewater heat and self-heating concrete to de-ice roads & walkways.