It is extremely difficult not to recognize the problems which are being created by the excessive salting of roads and highways. The studies conducted prove that this topic cannot be ignored. Innovative methods have aided the clean-up effort, but much still must be done at the government level. The low cost and convenience of road salt make it the preferred de-icing agent. Areas which heavily use the pure form of road salt should cut down on their degree of application, as in Penfield. More condensed or alternative forms with the same effect as road salt should be utilized. We must look at the long-term picture, because the future situation will only deteriorate water quality to a greater extent. The perception that the damage is as bad as it is likely to get once in equilibrium is simply foolish. The Toronto study proved how devastating the present levels of chloride and sodium could become. Each area has distinctive hydrogeologic conditions, and these should also be taken into account. The question administators now need to consider is, "Will present benefits of road salt use outweigh the eventual costs to drinking water?"
Ken W.F. Howard, Joe I. Boyce, Steve J. Livingstone, Sean L. Salvatori, Groundwater Research Group at University of Toronto: GSA TODAY, "Road Salt Impacts on Ground-water Quality -- The Worst is Still to Come! " Vol. 3, No. 12 December 1993.
Alan E. Kehew, Richard N. Passero, Charles H. Soule. Abstracts with Programs Geological Society of America: "Degradation of Groundwater in a Glacial-drift Aquifer Used for Municipal Supply by Road Salt Application" Vol. 21, p. 17,1989.
Lori L. Lesney, Yoram Eckstein. Abstracts with Programs Geological Society of America: "Chemical Composition of Surface and Ground Water of the Cuyahoga Basin, Northeastern Ohio" Vol. 21, p. 39, 1989.
James D. Mac Kecknie, H. Kier Dirlam, R. Laurence Davis. Abstracts with Programs Geological Society of America: "The Effects of 11Years of Reduced Road Salt Usage on Water Quality in Penfield, NY" Vol. 19, p 28, 1987.
-Dominick De Fazio dd002c@uhura.cc.rochester.edu