Winter salt may make walkways safer, but even small amounts leave lasting damage in Bloomington’s waters.
Nine Mile Creek is already impaired by chlorides, and once salt washes into lakes and streams there is no cost-effective way to remove it. Just one teaspoon of salt can permanently pollute five gallons of water, harming fish, plants and wildlife long after the snow and ice melts.
Residents can make a meaningful difference with a few simple steps.
Shovel early and often to prevent packed snow and reduce the need for salt.
When salt is necessary, use a light touch: less than a 12-ounce coffee mug treats a typical two-car driveway.
Apply salt only where icy patches persist and check the temperature. Salt doesn’t work when pavement is below 15 degrees. In very cold weather, use sand or gravel for traction instead.
Individual actions today add up to collective impact tomorrow. Be a water hero!
