Waterloo urging the province to protect fresh water from road salt

The City of Waterloo is calling on the provincial government to protect freshwater sources and habitats by developing legislation that governs and regulates the use of road salt.

A motion put forward by Coun. Julie Wright, at a council meeting on Monday, alleges that snow removal and maintenance contractors often overuse salt when clearing roadways and walkways, leading to increased salt runoff into freshwater habitats.

The contractors may overuse salt to prevent slips and falls, which could lead to costly injury claims and lawsuits, it notes.

“The people who are working in winter control also care about the environment, but the risk and liability issues are preventing them from acting in a more environmentally progressive way,” said Wright.

Wright’s motion urges the provincial government to create enforceable contractor training and provincially endorsed standard best management practices to help small businesses make the right decisions about salt.

“It is an all of society solution that’s required,” said Wright. “It’s gonna take some technological innovation, it’s going to require more research, there might be future alternatives to salt, and better training is one of these factors that is going to open up a pathway.”

The motion was passed unanimously, with Wright adding that it’s just a first step in a province-wide campaign on this issue.