Take Action Against Road Salt Pollution!
Road salts, commonly used for de-icing our streets and highways, ensure safe travel during harsh Canadian winters. However, their persistent use is causing unforeseen consequences for our environment. Our aquatic wildlife, particularly, is suffering from this impact. These salts are infiltrating our waterways, affecting the delicate balance of freshwater ecosystems.
There has been a significant increase in the salinization of freshwater bodies over the past decade. This not only endangers aquatic life but also threatens the biodiversity of surrounding habitats. Elevated salt levels can disrupt aquatic plants, lead to fish kills, and render waters inhospitable for various species. Furthermore, an increased salt concentration in water can influence the dynamics of food webs and the carbon cycle.
Such repercussions are not limited to our ponds and lakes. Streams, rivers, and groundwater reserves exhibit elevated salt levels due to road salt runoff. Road salts are also drawing wildlife onto roads, risking vehicular collisions and the well-being of iconic Canadian species like moose, elk, and deer.
Watersheds Canada is launching a road salt education campaign to raise awareness on this issue and help individuals and community groups drive local change. By supporting regulations, monitoring, and liability we can safeguard our aquatic ecosystems, protect wildlife, and ensure the continued purity of our nation’s waters.
Access free resources to bring education and change in your community:
- Fill in our public awareness and perception survey about road salt pollution.
- Download the Road Salt Policy Review and learn about different government policies that apply in Ontario and across Canada.
- Read the “Are Canada’s lakes becoming salty?” blog.
- Find out “How to Identify Salt Vulnerable Areas” in this blog.
- Learn about the “Best Practices from the ECCC Code of Practice: Aiming for Reduced Salt Pollution” in this blog.
- In this blog, you will learn “Are There Alternative Solutions to Road Salts?“.
- Learn about possible nature-based solutions in our “Can Natural Buffers Help Mitigate Road Salt Pollution?” blog.
- Find out about “Salt Tolerant Native Plants” in this blog.
- Restore your shoreline using our Salt Tolerant Native Plant List for Eastern Ontario document.
- Present to your community group or municipality to get them talking about road salt pollution by downloading this Introductory Slide Deck.
- Watch the “Salting our Freshwater Ecosystems” webinar by Lauren Lawson, PhD candidate at the University of Toronto.
- Download the “Salting our Freshwater Ecosystems” webinar handout.
- Sign-up for our newsletter to stay up-to-date on road salt pollution and other freshwater issues.
- Donate and ensure more communities have access to toolkits and the knowledge they need to protect their local freshwater.
This education toolkit is generously funded by:
