CT Experts Warn of Environmental Impact of Road Salt Use in the State

Sodium and chloride are the main ingredients in road salt. The rise in chloride levels in the soil and local waterways have become a concern for State officials. The State experts seem to agree that state crews use responsible amounts of salt, but that private overuse could be to blame for the increases in chloride levels.

According to WTNH, Phil Trowbridge, Assistant Director of Department of Energy and Environmental Protection’s Water Planning and Management Division had this to say:

In the last 15 years we’ve seen a doubling of the concentrations of chlorides in the state of Connecticut.

Trowbrige stated that the highest chloride concentration levels have been found in streams near roadways, adding:

When you get streams that are normally fresh [water] then are becoming saltier and saltier, it’s very hard for those fish to survive.

The reports states that Kevin Nursick, Connecticut Department of Transportation spokesperson added that while State crews use responsible salt amounts, private companies and residents may overuse the product.

I had a chart of the elements out and a watercolor painting I did of a fish while writing this. None of it helped me see what good this information does. I see your concern for environment and raise you this quote from Trowbridge:

There is no other go-to product that is mission effective, cost-effective, and minimizes to the maximum extent the environmental and other implications that go along with using it.

So this is the product we have and that's that. Oh, I get it, this is a raising awareness message. The public, not the State is to blame for killing fish and we needed to know there's a problem but it's not their fault, it's ours. Gotcha.