Winter Drinking Water Threats
Winter brings several threats to drinking water, including road salt storage, road salt application, and snow storage. These activities can lead to contamination of drinking water sources, posing risks to public health.
Salt is a major water quality concern. The salt spread on the ground does not go away. Eventually this salt mixes with groundwater; the water we drink. There are steps you can take to help
What Can You Do?
Quick Links:
Help Keep Salt out of Ground Water:
-
Clear the snow before it packs down and turns into ice
-
If ice forms, break up with a steel chopper and clear away with a shovel
-
Add traction with sand, grit or non-clumping kitty litter
-
Store Road Salt inside away from precipitation
If Salt is absolutely necessary:
-
A sand and salt mix offers traction and ice melting with less salt
-
A little goes far. In many cases, a few tablespoons of salt for a one-meter square area is all you need. Spread salt evenly on icy areas only.
-
Do not use salt to melt snow.
-
Wait to reapply. Even when you cannot see it, salt is hard at work.
-
Salt does not expire. Clean up spilled and excess salt for another time
Road Salt
Road salt poses a significant threat to drinking water through both its storage and application. The primary concern is minimizing the amount of sodium and chloride that enters surface water and groundwater sources.
Road salt refers to any product containing sodium and/or chloride used to maintain roads and pedestrian areas. The most commonly used types are sodium chloride and calcium chloride due to their effectiveness and low cost. These substances are typically used as deicers, anti-icing agents, or dust suppressants.
Improperly stored salt can leach into surrounding soil and water sources, especially when exposed to rain or melting snow.
The application of road salt on impervious surfaces is another key concern. During precipitation events, applied salt can wash away into storm water systems, surface water, and groundwater, raising sodium and chloride concentrations.
Excess sodium in drinking water can pose health risks, particularly for individuals with high blood pressure. Additionally, elevated chloride levels can corrode plumbing systems and infrastructure, further compromising water quality.
Snow Storage
Snow storage is closely linked to the application of road salt. Snow removed from roads, parking lots, and other impervious surfaces can become contaminated with a variety of pollutants, including road salt, oil, grease, heavy metals from vehicles, litter, and airborne particles. Large snow piles along roadways or in parking areas not only pose traffic hazards but can also lead to localized flooding during melt events, especially in urban environments and along major routes.
When excess snow cannot be left in place, it must either be melted on-site or transported to a designated location for melting or stockpiling. While consolidating snow in one area helps manage its volume, it also concentrates on potential contaminants. Despite some dilution due to the volume of snow, these contaminants can still pose a threat to drinking water sources if not properly managed.
Because contaminated snow can leach pollutants into surrounding soil and water during melting, it must be handled and stored in a manner that protects nearby drinking water sources.
