Written by Industry Expert Emily Mayer, Aquatic Biologist
Each winter season, municipalities stock up on salt to battle icy roads across the country. Every year during these harsh snow days, an estimated 22 million tons of de-icing salt is applied to major roads and highways throughout the U.S. As snow and ice melt, these road salts then enter our freshwater lakes, ponds and waterways through stormwater runoff. So, what are the environmental effects of road salt on our freshwater resources?
According to developing studies conducted by the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, scientists predict that within the next 50 years, our lakes and ponds are susceptible to becoming