Madison proclaims January 2026 “Winter Salt Week,” highlights salt-reduction progress

The Madison Common Council unanimously adopted a resolution on Jan. 27 proclaiming January 2026 as Winter Salt Week to raise awareness about the environmental and public-safety impacts of road- and sidewalk-salting practices.

Allison Madison, Wisconsin Saltwise program manager, accepted the proclamation and praised the city’s Streets Division for adopting best practices. Madison told the council Winter Salt Week has attracted more than 1,100 registrants from over 30 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces and credited the Streets Division with reducing salt use by roughly 40% on average. "So we're talking about the problem but also really just focusing on the solution," she said.

The resolution (Legistar 91544) notes that chloride from de-icing salt accumulates in lakes, streams and groundwater, that even small amounts can be toxic to aquatic life, and that removing salt from water is costly and challenging. It urges residents, businesses and City of Madison departments to adopt winter maintenance strategies that balance public safety with protection of freshwater resources.

Council members offered thanks to the presenter and, seeing no objection, recorded a unanimous vote in favor of the proclamation. The council also noted an existing city ordinance requiring excess sidewalk salt to be swept up; the presenter urged city staff to increase enforcement of that ordinance.

Next steps: the proclamation establishes a local observance and encourages outreach and training on salt-reduction practices; no binding regulatory change was adopted at the meeting.