Road Salt Reduction

The application of winter road salt is a common solution to melting ice on roadways, walkways and parking lots to keep drivers and pedestrians safe. However, the improper and over-application of salt has detrimental impacts on the environment and infrastructure, creating hidden and permanent ecological costs in this seemingly affordable deicing material. 

Dramatic and rising concentrations of chloride from salt applications have been identified in New Hampshire waters and mirror a trend that is being seen in colder regions of the United States and Canada due to the application of de-icing chemicals. There are currently over 50 waterbodies in the state of New Hampshire that have chloride impairments with levels exceeding standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). At concentrations exceeding 230 mg/l, chloride can be toxic to some aquatic species and can impart a salty taste in drinking water supplies. 

Chloride is not significantly removed by chemical reactions, evaporation or vegetation. Therefore, nearly all of the chloride applied to the land surface as road salt will eventually end up in the nearby surface waters or groundwater. Preventing chloride contamination through implementation of best management practices is the most cost-effective and environmentally sound option.

To protect New Hampshire waters from increased chloride concentrations, the NHDES Green SnowPro Program offers commercial and municipal snow and ice management professionals training and certification in state-of-the-art salt reduction practices that prioritize public safety while mitigating salt usage.

In return for their efforts, commercial salt applicators certified by NHDES Green SnowPro under RSA 489-C, and property owners or managers who hire them, are granted liability protection against damages arising from snow and ice conditions under RSA 508:22.