Salt Smart
Take an active role in protecting our water resources by making responsible decisions when salting sidewalks and driveways.
Chloride Pollution
Chloride is one of the elements that makes up rock salt and it is very harmful to our streams, rivers, and lakes. It is easy for chloride to get into the water, but it is difficult for us to get it out. Here are just a few of its impacts:
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Harms aquatic life. It can be toxic to small aquatic life and disrupts the natural structure and diversity of the ecosystem.
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It's an expensive process to remove chlorine once it has infiltrated water.
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Corrodes infastructure. It will damage concrete roads and bridges, as well as building entrances. It's also damaging to vehicles.
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Hurts pets. Chloride will burn and dry out pet's paws, as well as make them sick when it's licked off.
Salt Smart Practices
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Shovel all the snow away before salting. Shovel often to help decrease ice buildup.
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Do not over apply salt. More salt won't make ice melt faster, it's just more likely to end up being a pollutant.
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Check the melting point of the de-icer and don't apply in colder temperatures. Rock salt's melting point is 15 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Only apply salt on ice covered payment, never on lawns, near a storm drain, or on dry pavement.
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Distribute salt evenly and make sure there aren't any big clumps.
Lake Erie Starts Here Mug
A 12 oz. coffee mug holds just the right amount of salt for 10 sidewalk squares or 250 square feet. Lorain SWCD wants to help you get started with reducing chloride pollution by giving away a free Lake Erie Starts Here mug after signing the Salt Smart pledge. After signing the pledge, contact Lynne Parsh at 440-326-5800 or lparsh@loraincounty.us to set up a pick up time to get your mug.
UPDATE December 2024: We are currently out of stock on mugs. We hope to receive more in early 2025.
