Montgomery County, MD
12/05/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/05/2025 13:12
Montgomery County and WSSC Water Launch 2025/2026 Salt-Wise Campaign to Promote Smarter Salt Use This Winter
For Immediate Release: Friday, December 5, 2025
In light of today's wintry weather, Montgomery County and WSSC Water are reminding residents, businesses, and property managers to be Salt-Wise and use salt responsibly.
The County's Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Department of Transportation (MCDOT) are joining forces with WSSC Water through the Salt-Wise campaign to raise awareness about the environmental and health risks of over-salting. The campaign also provides practical, eco-friendly tips for safer and more sustainable winter maintenance.
"Salt keeps us safe on icy roads and sidewalks, but too much of it can harm our environment, damage infrastructure, and affect our drinking water," said County Executive Marc Elrich. "What goes on the ground flows into storm drains and eventually into the Potomac and Patuxent rivers. We all have a part to play in using salt wisely and protecting the quality of our water sources."
Be Salt-Wise: Three Simple Steps
- Shovel early and often to prevent ice from forming.
- Use only 1½ cups of salt (about 12 ounces) for every 10 sidewalk squares or a 20-foot driveway.
- Sweep up leftover salt after the storm to reuse it later.
"Salt levels in our water sources continue to rise and once salt is in the water, there's no economical way to remove it during treatment," said WSSC Water Production Director Ben Thompson. "Our water is safe, but higher sodium levels can impact people on salt-restrictive diets, making it more important than ever to be Salt-Wise. Remember, one coffee mug of salt is all you need for 10 sidewalk squares or a 20-foot driveway!"
"The Salt-Wise campaign is a true team effort, reflecting how agencies across the County and WSSC Water are working together to protect both public safety and our environment," said DEP Director Jennifer Macedonia. "By coordinating our work and encouraging responsible salt use, we can keep our communities safe while safeguarding our streams, wildlife, and drinking water."
Protecting Roads and Rivers
MCDOT plays a critical role in balancing road safety with environmental protection.
"During winter weather events we monitor the forecast and pavement conditions closely to determine when and how much salt to use," said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. "We only use what we need to keep roads safe. We avoid salting when temperatures are above freezing or rain is expected, and we use tools like rubber-tipped plows and salt brine to reduce salt use."
Residents are encouraged to report excessive salt use on County roads and facilities by calling 311 or 240-777-0311 for cleanup efforts after the storm. State roads are managed by the Maryland Department of Transportation.
Visit: http://montgomerycountymd.gov/salt for salt use tips and best practices.
Check the Winter Storm Information Portal at https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/snow/ for updates on plowing, parking, and road conditions.
For Salt-Wise campaign videos and storm preparation footage for coverage, media can access broll at: https://bit.ly/48lzSJl
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Release ID: 25-444Media Contact: Cindy Peña 202-875-1563
Categories: Transportation
Montgomery County, MD published this content on December 05, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on December 05, 2025 at 19:12 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]