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Road Salt


By Terri-Lee Reid
December 17, 2008

Salting our roads
Q. Does the use of road salt in the winter harm the environment?

A. According to Environment Canada, approximately five million tonnes of salt is applied to Canada’s roads each year. At concentrations this high, there’s no doubt that this will have an impact on our soil, water, plants, fish and wildlife.

In fact, road salts have been attributed to reduced soil fertility, damage to roadside vegetation and negative impacts to waterways. Salt runoff into freshwater environments can be damaging to the plants and fish that are not used to having salt in their habitat.

The use of road salts also adversely affects wildlife. Some species are attracted to road sides for salt, probably to satisfy a dietary need, and often end up in a  collision with a vehicle.

Unfortunately, of the few environmentally-friendly alternatives available, most are cost prohibitive. Instead, work is being done to improve the use and management of road salts so that public safety can be maintained while reducing environmental impacts. 

Share your tips and comments on environmentally-friendly snow removal!

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Submitted by Bob SMith, April 9, 2009
Use sand!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Submitted by Christian Verigin, February 7, 2009
I'd like to know what happened to good old sand and slower driving speeds, instead of salt, liquid calcium and large pebbles that costs me three windshields a winter. I also paid for great tires that are soft enough to withstand our Canadian winters. However I may never know if they really work as the highways department likes to salt and pebble everything to death.
Submitted by urea, January 3, 2009
This product does not effect wildlife or plantlife, but is very expensive. Municipalities could not efford it. Gisela Belgrave
Submitted by panthony@pacificcoast.net, January 2, 2009
We haven't used salt to de-ice our sidewalks for years. We use "environmentaly friendly" fertilizer.
Submitted by Penny Isaak, December 30, 2008
We drive a SMART car, with winter tires, on our country roads in northern Alberta, which are plowed sporadically and don't get any salt or sand. Driving with care especially with respect to speed you don't need to add so much "gunk" to the roads. Maybe we could all slow down and save the roads, the wildlife, and some carbon emissions while were at it!
Submitted by Caterina Liberatore, December 28, 2008
I drive alot and sometimes quite a distance. Proper tires help me alot and driving under the speed limit. For example, I have all season tires, but I should really have snows on for my mini-van and I've driven from Richmond Hill, to Scarborough and to Mississauga. I work in a delivery service industry in all weather conditions. People are spoiled and still speed. Drivers should get used to driving with the weather changes and by especially not putting themselves nor others in danger. And, I hope now that drivers do change because of recently in the news Fantino will not tolerate drivers lack of judgment with weather conditions in accidents. I hope that makes sense, because it is possible to drive on unsalted roads, but with care and caution.
Submitted by Valerie Finley, December 20, 2008
Surely in this day and age someone can come up with a product or way to solve the problem without causing "More" problems.
Submitted by B. Lambert, December 19, 2008
Alternatives to salt may be more costly, but the cost of road repair due to salt would be very much less in the long run. As well, it would be more enrironmentally friendly, so it would be a win, win, situation. What is wrong with the people who approve salt on our roads, that they cannot see far enough ahead to realize this. I think it is time for the Canadian people to demand it!
Submitted by Gerry van Nie, December 18, 2008
One of the blessings of living in northern Alberta is that salt is actually minimally used because the temperatures are too cold for the salt treatment to be effective. Here in Grande Prairie, Alberta, we live with 'skating rinks' for roads all winter, but I appreciate the environmental savings, and often suggest to people that we have this extreme cold weather to be grateful for.
Submitted by Lise, December 18, 2008
I find that the amount of salt layered is often so thick,even on sidewalks, that it makes little mounds that sit there forever. It takes several months of spring and summer rains to wash off the white crust that forms at the edge of the roads. I have been concerned about the damage to the environment caused by this over application of salt. Several things could be done by ordinary citizen to improve their own safety and reduce the need for salt: 1. Yes, I approve the use of sand ( less salt, more sand ) 2. Winter tires mandatory everywhere ( perhaps with the exception of B.C. ) 3. We could all wear crampons under our shoe covers or winter boots to improve the grip on icy sidewalk surfaces 4. Drive like it is winter time; people often continue to drive like it is a warm summer day, thereby increasing therisk of unsafe maneuvres
Submitted by Carroll, December 18, 2008
Why can't they use sand like they used to do years ago. No harm is done, the cars can be washed, but no damage is done to anything in the environment. At least, it's an alternative.
Submitted by lorenzo, December 17, 2008
I spent Jan and Feb in Toronto 2 years ago and found that snowfalls that would result in street plowing in Winnipeg just got a heavy dose of salt; no plowing. Obviously it is cheaper to distribute the salt.
Submitted by Bob Annandale, December 17, 2008
If they could only use salt on the corners and hills rather than layer it thickly on every part of the road. People have to drive according to the road conditions!
Submitted by Doral Hemm, December 17, 2008
I believe that in Western canada, excepting the coastal area, salting the roads does as much harm as good. Ther only place I find really icy road surfaces in Central Alberta is where salt has been used. Cold dry ice gives better traction than wet salty ice. The hundreds of millions of dollars in auto body corrosion due to salt is a whole other question. I agree that snow tires (not all season) should be mandatory during winter months and in some areas studded tires should be strongly advised.
Submitted by EdeG in Chateauguay, December 17, 2008
I definiterly think we should use much less salt to limit the damage to our environment to what has already occurred. Use snow tires and use sand if necessary on hills and steep inclines.We need to take a long term approach; think of the 7th generation !
Submitted by George Court, December 17, 2008
I think everyone should have to drive with winter tires and the cities can use sand instead of salt, like they do in the extreme north where salt does not work because it is too cold. The Government should also raise standards to get a license and implement mandatory driving course's that are run by the government. We need to get the ones that can not drive off our roads, that would be a lot safer and a good place to start.
Submitted by Lady, December 17, 2008
I live on a street 2 doors from a school because they use salt and sand , plays havoc with the boulevard in front of my house I have to have someone to Shovel the sand from the Blvd to the tune of about 7-8 wheelbarrels & dispose of same so I can seed that area...What do you think ????( HARMFUL )
Submitted by Andrew dV, December 17, 2008
Not only does road salt damage habitats it can lead to a change in habitats. Salt tolerant plants are increasingly found at the end of large culverts on heavily slated roads. I agree with Diane that the impacts on our infrastructure are underestimated. Salt will reduce the engineered lifespan of roads and bridges, and probably wreck havoc on public transit buses and trains. I think the negative effects of road salts are vastly underestimated. Canadians should be sure to use winter tires and improve winter driving skills.
Submitted by Diane Dron, December 17, 2008
Why not use more dirt as salt is hard on our cars and vehicles too.
Submitted by Anon, December 16, 2008
Welcome!

 

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