salt

Pressure is being put on the province to limit the amount of salt dumped on roads, sidewalks and parking lots.

Advocates say the intended safety measures are leaving lakes and streams with elevated levels of salt.

Dani Lindamood of the Ontario Salt Pollution Coalition says changes are needed to winter maintenance practices.

“The scale of the problem is overwhelming, but the foundational pathways forward are clear,” says Lindamood.

“We need a shared liability approach to winter maintenance, including contractor certification, provincially endorsed standards, and a regulatory authority in charge.”

Lindamood would also like a gathering of community representatives, environmental groups, scientists, industry representatives and policy makers to discuss modernizing winter maintenance policies that will keep service standards high while protecting water from salt pollution.

The Coalition says Ontario is the number one salt user in the world, dumping between 2 and 3 million tonnes each winter.

Julie Wright, the National Director of Our Living Waters, says they need the Ford government to be a champion and take steps to reduce the amount.

“It’s a threat year-round to streams, rivers, lakes and groundwater. It’s a threat to cottage life, fishing and the many businesses that depend on tourism and seasonal activities,” says Wright.

The federal government declared road salt a toxic substance in 1999.

Some municipalities have already taken up the cause.

The Ontario Salt Pollution Coalition says 33 jurisdictions have passed resolutions to abandon or reduce their use of salt.