With winter underway and the possibility of snowstorms, Hazlet-based New Jersey American Water and The Watershed Institute in Hopewell are reminding residents, businesses and municipalities that excessive use of road salt can have serious environmental consequences.
The message will be emphasized during Winter Salt Week 2026, which takes place from Sunday through Friday, Jan. 30.
While salt helps keep roads and sidewalks safe, its runoff can harm drinking-water sources, aquatic ecosystems and infrastructure long after the snow has melted. In some cases, increased sodium and chloride levels in source water can even cause a temporary salty taste in tap water, though the levels do not pose a health risk for most people.
“Salt doesn’t just disappear when the ice melts,” said Shawn M. LaTourette, commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. “It moves into our rivers, streams and groundwater. Every winter, we see rising chloride levels that can disrupt ecosystems and are extremely difficult for drinking water systems to treat.
“Using salt responsibly helps protect public health and our natural resources.”
Salt Week is a national initiative that promotes responsible salt use through education, community engagement and resources for municipalities and homeowners. The campaign emphasizes that safety and sustainability can go hand in hand, and small changes in how we use salt can make a big difference.
The impact of road salt doesn’t end when winter does: High levels of it can persist and get worse under drought conditions and have lasting effects year-round. As part of Winter Salt Week, experts will share practical steps that residents and municipalities can take immediately to reduce environmental impacts without compromising safety.
The tips are simple, cost-effective and proven to help protect water quality:
- – Shovel first. Clearing snow before it turns to ice reduces the need for de-icing.
- Use only what’s needed: If you need to use salt, a 12-ounce coffee mug holds about one pound of it, which is enough for a 20-foot driveway.
- – Spread efficiently. Leave 3 inches of space between granules for effective coverage. Sweep up excess and remove leftover salt from dry pavement to prevent runoff.
- – Switch to brine. Applying a liquid brine instead of salt crystals can reduce the total amount of salt applied by 30 to 50%.
- – Reevaluate contracts. Businesses can pay snow-removal contractors by area cleared, not salt applied.
For localized information about winter salting, visit NJ Salt Watch, a free community science program funded by the state and managed by the Watershed Institute. Learn more and register at thewatershed.org/njsaltwatch.
For more information about winter salt, register for daily webinars during Winter Salt Week at www.wintersaltweek.org.https://njwatershedwatch.org/road-salt/
