Press Releases
Montgomery County, Urging Homeowners to Use Less Salt During Winter Storms to Reduce Impact on the Environment, to Launch New ‘Salt-Wise’ Campaign on Thursday, Jan. 16
For Immediate Release: Tuesday, January 14, 2020
Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, who has made protecting the environment a priority of his administration, at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 16, will lead a new initiative of the County’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to encourage homeowners to use less salt on sidewalks and driveways during winter storms. Overuse of salt runs off into stormwater drains, local streams and eventually, to the Chesapeake Bay.
The launch of the “Salt-Wise” campaign will be held in a residential neighborhood near 13812 Dowlais Dr. in Rockville.
In addition to County Executive Elrich, expected to attend are County Council President Sidney Katz; Chris Conklin, director of the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT); Richard Dorsey, chief of the MCDOT Division of Highways Services; John Nissel, deputy director of operations of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission; Jeanne Braha, executive director of the Rock Creek Conservancy; and Carla Reid, general manager and chief executive officer of WSSC Water. General Manager Reid will speak on the impacts of salt use on drinking water and recent trends observed on sodium levels in the water supply.
“We all want every public and private sidewalk to be passable and safe following winter storms,” said County Executive Elrich. “However, when applying salt on sidewalks and driveways, we hope that homeowners and property managers will realize that overuse of salt does not help their efforts and only puts our environment at greater long-term risk of damage.”
Using salt to melt ice on sidewalks and driveways can corrode concrete and masonry, harm pets, damage surrounding plants and lawns and impact the water supply. Salt levels have been steadily increasing in local streams, posing a risk to sensitive wildlife and stream health. In many cases, salt simply is not needed. Once it gets into waterways, salt does not go away.
The Salt-Wise campaign will provide guidance to homeowners and private contractors on the proper use of salt for treating ice and snow. Examples of recommended products and applications will be on display.
The new campaign will include a website with resources for residents, homeowners’ associations and private contractors. A Salt-Wise tip card, which will be available to download, can be used in social media posts or community e-newsletters and listservs with information on the impacts of salt use.
Adam Ortiz, director of DEP, said that homeowners and property managers often think that using large amounts of salt is more effective, but this is not the case.
“The Salt-Wise campaign will be used to educate our residents, share tips on best practices and encourage local organizations to do their part,” said Director Ortiz. “We need everyone to be Salt-Wise and follow these simple tips to apply salt sensibly and effectively to protect our streams and creeks.”
The tips that residents can follow include:
The tips that residents can follow include:
- Shovel ice and snow early and often.
- Use one 12-ounce cup of salt for 10 sidewalk squares or for a 20-foot driveway.
- After storm events, sweep up excess sand and salt for reuse.
For more information on how to effectively address salt use on residential and commercial properties, go to MontgomeryCountyMD.gov/salt.
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Media Contact: Neil H. Greenberger 240-777-6532