Impacts. When it enters streams and lakes, road salt can cause severe stress or death for many freshwater organisms. Ground water can be contaminated with road salt if the salty water reaches the ground water zones.

Indicator parameters. Dead vegetation along the roadside, dead or unhealthy plants or animals in streams and salty taste in well water may indicate the presence of road salt.

Source reduction. Municipal and state highway departments should reduce the use of road salt, possibly substituting sand or other deicing chemicals. Private citizens, commercial business and industry can use sand or substitutes to keep roads and parking lots safe.

Removal. Only very difficult and expensive treatment processes can remove salt from water.

Return to: Surface Water Pollutants and Stormwater Runoff