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DNR: Road salt is steadily salinizing Wisconsin waters; agency outlines 2021 strategy and local actions
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Summary
DNR scientists reported rising chloride trends across the state — long‑term monitoring sites show increases and 50 rivers plus one lake exceed the chronic chloride threshold — and outlined a 16‑point reduction strategy focused on permitting, municipal practices, outreach and Saltwise partnerships.
DNR staff presented a cross‑program update on chloride pollution in Wisconsin, highlighting increasing concentrations in surface and groundwater and a multi‑pronged strategy to slow salinization.
Laura Dietrich (Water Evaluation) summarized monitoring results: long‑term trend sites across the state show increasing chloride concentrations (roughly 1–4% per year at most monitoring locations) and the agency’s assessment identified 50 rivers and one lake that exceed the state chronic chloride criterion as presented (reported in the briefing as 395 mg/L). Dietrich said urban winter monitoring has documented very high winter concentrations—on the order of 1,200 mg/L at times in urban streams—underscoring the seasonal nature of road‑salt impacts.
Carla Romano (Groundwater) described chloride detection in public supply wells and the state’s public‑well mapping and trend dashboard (UW‑Stevens Point Chloride Trends dashboard) and noted documented exceedances of 250 mg/L in some wells. Romano summarized sources, noting the dominance of winter road salts and water‑softener effluent, with contributions from wastewater discharges, dust suppressants and agricultural inputs such as potassium chloride fertilizers in some places.
Shannon Hayden (Stormwater) reviewed the 2021 cross‑program chloride strategy that compiled 16 recommendations across permitting, municipal practice, outreach and research. She said the department is implementing multiple recommendations through existing stormwater and wastewater permitting authorities, working with partners (including the Wisconsin Saltwise partnership) on training and voluntary smart‑salting pilot projects, and encouraging municipalities to adopt brine and improved application practices to reduce salt use.
Communications and outreach: Andy Sadlaczek (Office of Communications) outlined annual Winter Salt Awareness and social media outreach, and the department’s efforts to amplify Saltwise resources and best practices for residents and municipal operators.
Board discussion: Members asked about mobility of chloride in streams, groundwater infiltration, interactions with other contaminants and practical alternatives to sodium chloride. Staff said chloride is highly soluble and mobile: it persists in water and can eventually reach groundwater and downstream waters. They noted alternatives (brine, sand for traction, some agricultural products such as beet or whey brine) can have tradeoffs, and that liability perceptions often drive private salt over‑application. Staff emphasized ‘‘less is better’’ and pointed to municipal examples of switching to liquid brine and calibrating water softeners as immediate practical steps.
No regulatory adoptions were taken at this informational presentation; staff requested continued collaboration with municipal and partner organizations to advance the strategy.
(For details, the DNR presentation referenced the cross‑program 2021 chloride reduction strategy and directed listeners to the Saltwise partnership resources and the UW‑Stevens Point chloride trends dashboard.)
