Latest news with #WinterSaltWeek
CBS News
31-01-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
How salt on the sidewalk affects our pets
EDINA, Minn. — Salt may seem harmless and a great way to melt ice, but a new movement is warning of its harmful impacts. Officials in Edina, along with many communities across the country, are taking part in Winter Salt Week to highlight the issues salt creates for our furry friends and waterways. "It can cause skin irritation or tummy issues (if ingested). In extreme cases, you should bring your dog into the vet," said Jessica Wilson, Edina's water resources manager. "You want to make sure you're storing packages properly. Or if it's really slushy snow, and they're eating it or if there are puddles of meltwater and they're drinking that, then that could be harmful." Experts say alternatives like sand or kitty litter for traction are safer options, as well as using good old elbow grease to clear the snow with shovels. But if you have to use salt, a little goes a long way. Using too much can also lead to environmental impacts. "[A small jar] is enough salt to pollute 900 gallons of water permanently. It's creating a saltwater condition in a freshwater landscape, so the aquatic organisms — it impacts their ability to reproduce if the water gets too salty," Wilson said.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Winter salt week and Eau Claire's promise to lower usage
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) – It's Winter Salt Week and Eau Claire area maintenance organizations are committed to reducing the usage of salt. UW Eau Claire and Rainmaster Lawn Services have adopted the use of brine treatments, a mixture that uses a fraction of salt normally used to prevent slippery spots on roads and sidewalks. Wisconsin Salt Wise, a statewide coalition of organizations, has been working hard to highlight the damage of salt. The chemicals tend to pollute waterways and further damage pavement. CEO of Rainmaster Lawn Systems says, 'There's a lot of contractors… competitors… they don't want to talk to us about it but I'd be happy to talk about it because, in the end, we're all benefitting Wisconsin Salt Wise says organizations have reduced salt usage to 40% on average in recent years. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Sustainably Speaking: Winter Salt Week 2025 raises awareness about reducing salt pollution
(WFRV) – January 27th through the 31st marks the annual 'Winter Salt Week' hosted by Wisconsin Salt Wise, a coalition of organizations with the same mission of reducing salt pollution around the country. A recent Wisconsin DNR study found that 39% of Wisconsin's municipal drinking wells exceed the United States Environmental Protection Agency's limit on sodium concentrations, which is set at twenty milligrams per liter. Sustainably Speaking: Exploring Miron Construction's Sustainable Journey Wisconsin Salt Wise program manager Allison Madison says that while it may appear the salt does go away, instead once it melts the snow and ice, it follows the water wherever it goes. Madison noted they are seeing that sodium and chloride concentrations are increasing in lakes, streams, drinking water and soils. 'When it makes its way into our soils, it impacts plants. Salt, specifically sodium, breaks down soil structure and makes the soil more erodible, it reduces the ability for water to infiltrate through the soil,' said Madison. Excessive salt concentrations can also make the soil less fertile and lead to an unhealthy environment for plants to grow in. Madison emphasized that salt is a very corrosive mineral that easily breaks down cars, concrete, sidewalks, steps, roadways and bridges. In terms of when the salt actually reaches our local waterways, Madison explained that the salt in the runoff helps contribute to a yearly issue. 'If salt levels go up, zooplankton populations go down, but the zooplankton eat the algae, so the algal populations go up,' Madison said. 'So, it contributes to our lakes and streams being greener and murkier.' Throughout the week-long, free-to-access webinars, the overarching message is that more must be done regarding salt pollution while also providing ways to alleviate this issue. Sustainably Speaking: A look at Menasha's new Maplewood Middle School 'Winter salt week is about raising awareness, number one that we have a pollution problem here, all the salt we put down goes into our water and number two that there are a lot of practical solutions,' Madison said. Madison added that the first method of removing snow and ice should always be going out early and often to clear the snow off. Apply as little salt as needed and it is ineffective when the air temperature is below fifteen to twenty degrees. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
