Road Salt | University of Maryland Extension

Updated: September 5, 2024

Being Salt Smart (EBR-2023-0666)

This brief provides homeowners with safe and responsible deicing salt stewardship practices. These practices can aid in safe walking, reduced costs and reducing environmental impact on water quality. Authors: Andrew Lazur, and Greg Sandi; Title: Being Salt Smart (EBR-2023-0666).

Updated: April 8, 2024

Wednesday Water Webinars - Recorded

Updated: January 3, 2024

Wednesday Water Webinars

Updated: June 21, 2023

De-icing Salts

De-icing salts

Updated: June 20, 2023

Being Salt Smart

Updated: April 13, 2021

Impacts of deicing salt

Impacts of deicing salt use on metal and radionuclide mobilization – implications for ground and surface water quality

Updated: February 5, 2021

Road salts contribute to lead leaching from plumbing, and mobilization of heavy metals and radionuclides in ground and surface waters

Salt is the main tool for deicing roads in the U.S., with use with use increasing exponentially since the 1940’s. Approximately 22 million tons of salt is applied to roads in the US and 91,000 tons were used in Maryland in the 2017-18 winter.