Winter salt prematurely ages roads and bridges and degrades freshwater lakes, streams, and drinking water. It is a freshwater pollutant. Just one teaspoon of salt permanently pollutes five gallons of freshwater. Once in solution, salt is nearly impossible to remove without considerable expense.

Root-Pike Watershed Initiative Network is partnering with organizations across the country to reduce winter salt pollution.

Annual Winter Salt Week is the last week in January this year  (Jan. 26 through 30, 2026) , people nation-wide are encouraged to learn more about the environmental downsides of de-icers, private industry successes, actions that states are taking and how to get involved. Each day, experts in ecology, road maintenance, advocacy, and policy will hold live-streamed chats with on this issues affecting local communities. This year will include four lunch-time webinars Monday through Thursday, and “Office Hours” on Friday about home-based solutions and how to monitor salt pollution in your community.

Daily live streams are held Monday through Thursday at 12:30 p.m., on Friday at 11 a.m. and noon.

Monday Jan. 26 at 12:30: Freshwater Salinization – Causes, Consequences, and Trends
Tuesday Jan. 27 at 12:30: Salt Wise Stories from Winter Maintenance Practitioners
Wednesday Jan. 28 at 12:30: Smart Salting Contracts
Thursday Jan. 29 at 12:30: Innovative Engineering Solutions for Winter Issues
Friday Jan. 30 at 11 am: Advocating for Change – Practical Ways to Mobilize
Friday Jan. 30 at noon: Salt Monitoring 101

View the livestreams and register at www.wintersaltweek.org. Until then, you can start reducing salt pollution by using the tips at right.

Learn more at www.respectourwaters.org/ice-and-snow-control.

Contact kristine@rootpikewin.org with questions.