Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER® Partners with the Izaak Walton League of America to join the Salt Watch Program

As Maryland braces for the winter snow to begin falling, the salt trucks begin making their way around Baltimore and Harford counties to ensure the roads are safe for a commuters. Road salt is an important component of winter preparations as it prevents ice from forming on sidewalks and roads creating dangerous conditions. However, the abundance of salt laid on the ground poses a threat to wildlife and human health. Aquatic insects and fish are unable to survive in extra salty water while water treatment plants are unable to filter out extra salt leading to salty tap water and pipe corrosion

To combat the threat of salt pollution this winter, Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER® is thrilled to announce that we have partnered with the Izaak Walton League of America (IWLA) to become a Salt Watch Partner. Salt Watch aims to identify waterways that are affected by high levels of salt pollution by collecting various water samples. Data collected from this program can then be used to advocate for smarter road salting practices and raise awareness to the general public.

To meet this requirement the Salt Watch Program has sent Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER® Salt Watch test kits, where a small sample of stream water is collected and a test strip is placed within it and a value for the amount of salt in the sample is determined. These simple test kits can give both IWLA and Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER® important data regarding salting practices that take place in the Gunpowder watershed and how that effects our local waterways.

We need your help: Become a Salt Watch Volunteer

Since the salt trucks can be found all throughout the area that Gunpowder RIVERKEEPER® protects, we want to collect as much data as possible. Whether its a creek in your backyard or your favorite fishing spot, salt pollution can have impacts on both wildlife and human health. Get involved and help monitor your local waterway by registering to volunteer (found at the bottom of the page) and using a Salt Watch test kit. Directions for both sample collection and uploading your data will be provided. You can get your own free test kit by clicking the link below and visiting the IWLA website.

https://iwla.org/salt-watch