Tuesday: A Salty Situation
As part of our daily Wisconsin Stormwater Week series, today we delve into "A Salty Situation." Salt is essential for keeping roads safe during winter, but it comes with environmental consequences. When it dissolves and washes into storm drains, it can pollute our waterways, harm aquatic life, and damage infrastructure. Explore how salt affects stormwater and what we can do to minimize its impact on our environment.
Join residents from around Wisconsin as we explore A Salty Situation!
What is Stormwater Runoff?
Stormwater refers to the water that originates from precipitation events such as rain or snowmelt. When it falls on impervious surfaces like rooftops, roads, and sidewalks, it cannot soak into the ground and instead becomes stormwater runoff. Stormwater runoff flows over these hard surfaces, eventually finding its way into drainage systems, streams, rivers, and lakes. Essentially, stormwater runoff is the excess water that does not get absorbed into the soil.
The Impact of Salt on Stormwater and Pollution
Salt, commonly used for de-icing roads and sidewalks during winter, plays a significant role in stormwater pollution. When snow and ice melt, the dissolved salt flows into storm drains, eventually entering rivers, lakes, and other water bodies. This runoff, rich in chloride, can have detrimental effects on aquatic ecosystems, water quality, and infrastructure.
Environmental Impact
High concentrations of chloride are toxic to many freshwater organisms, including fish, insects, and plants. It disrupts their ability to maintain proper fluid balance, leading to stress, illness, or even death. The accumulation of salt in water bodies can create a harmful environment for aquatic life, reducing biodiversity and altering ecosystems.
Impact on Water Quality
Salt in stormwater also affects drinking water supplies. Elevated chloride levels can make water taste unpleasant and corrode pipes, leading to the leaching of harmful metals such as lead and copper into the water supply. In extreme cases, the cost of treating drinking water can increase as municipalities struggle to remove excess chloride.
Impact on Infrastructure
Beyond environmental concerns, salt-laden stormwater can damage infrastructure. Chloride corrodes metal, concrete, and asphalt, leading to the deterioration of roads, bridges, and buildings. The economic costs of this damage are significant, as repairs and replacements become necessary more frequently.
Mitigation Efforts
Efforts to reduce salt pollution involve using alternative de-icing methods, applying salt more efficiently, and promoting the use of environmentally friendly products. Public awareness campaigns, like Wisconsin Stormwater Week, are crucial in educating communities about the impacts of salt on stormwater and encouraging practices that protect water quality and the environment.
Join the Statewide “A Salty Situation” Webinar
Tune in on Tuesday, September 24, from 12-1 PM to hear Allison Madison, Program Manager for Wisconsin Salt Wise, discuss the environmental issues associated with road salt that are negatively impacting freshwater resources in Wisconsin and throughout the United States. Laura Herrick, Chief Environmental Engineer for the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SEWRPC), will showcase the Regional Chloride Impact Study.
Now What?
Understanding the basics of stormwater runoff and pollution is crucial for protecting our water resources and creating a sustainable future.
We can significantly reduce stormwater pollution by adopting responsible residential practices, implementing best management practices in commercial and industrial settings, and community-wide efforts.
Check out our other daily topics to learn more about how you can make a difference!