Winter Salt Awareness Week 2026

January 26–30, 2026

Every winter, tons of salt are spread on roads, parking lots, and sidewalks to keep us safe. But once the snow melts, that salt doesn’t disappear—it washes into our lakes, streams, and groundwater. Rising salt levels corrode infrastructure, stress wildlife, and pose risks to our drinking water supplies.

This year, Jefferson Soil & Water Conservation District is joining partners across the country to spotlight this growing challenge during Winter Salt Week, taking place January 26–30, 2026. The week is dedicated to helping communities understand the impacts of salt pollution and explore practical steps we can all take to protect freshwater.

Throughout the week, leading experts in environmental science, public works, engineering, and policy will share insights on smarter winter maintenance, community action, and innovative solutions already taking root. Whether you’re a resident, property manager, or simply curious about protecting local waters, there’s something for you.

Join us daily at 1:30 ET / 12:30 CT for a series of free, live YouTube events.
Register and learn more at www.wintersaltweek.org.

Together, we can keep winter roads safe and our waters healthy.

Residential Salting Tips

Infographic on winter salting tips: add sand for traction, shovel before salting, and ice melting effectiveness by temperature.

Tips for snow days: shovel snow, avoid over-salting to prevent damage, and one mug of salt treats 250 sq. ft.

H2Ohio Chloride Reduction Grant is Back

Read the Frequently Asked Questions about the H2Ohio Chloride Reduction Grant Here!

View the eligibility map

Deadline to apply is Friday February 6th

Salt Week Webinars

Event on freshwater salinization causes and trends, featuring Dr. Megan Rippy and Dr. Stan Grant. January 26, 1:30-2 PM ET.

Image promotes a Winter Salt Week livestream featuring Phill Sexton and Aron Rodman on smarter salting practices.

Livestream on January 28, 1:30-2:00 PM ET about smart contracts and reducing property liability with Martin Tirado and Jim Turcan.

Image promotes a livestream event on January 29 about innovative engineering solutions for winter salt use and safety.

Graphic promoting a virtual event on January 30 at noon ET, discussing community mobilization for smarter winter maintenance.

The image promotes a virtual event on salt monitoring, featuring Lauren Eaton and Paige Vichiola-Silva, on January 30.

Webinar attendance satisfies MS4 Annual Employee Training Requirments. If you or your entity partakes, make sure to complete your Employee Training Attendance Sheet, and retain for annual reporting.

Employee Training Attendance Sheet

Easy on the Salt

Salt prematurely ages vehicles, roads, and bridges and degrades our freshwater lakes, streams, and drinking water. Just a teaspoon of salt permanently pollutes five gallons of water.

Snow & Ice Crews across Jefferson County are working this winter to implement the following smart salting practices: calibrating equipment, incorporating the use of salt brine, and educating operators to avoid the overapplication of salt.

A group meeting in a basement with workers in fluorescent jackets, discussing while sitting at tables with food and materials.

A white dump truck is being inspected by two men, one in a uniform and another in a bright green shirt, outdoors.

Three workers are gathered around a truck with a salt or sand spreader, preparing materials for winter maintenance.

The image shows a weighing scale attached to a hook with a bucket underneath it, likely used for measuring weight.

The image shows a calibration worksheet with data related to a spreading test, including weights, averages, and calculations.

A Smithfield Township truck with a snow plow attachment and a worker nearby on a ladder, parked outside a building.

Do your part to help protect Jefferson County's freshwater resources and make a pledge to follow the "4 S's" this winter: Shovel, Scatter, Switch, Sweep:

● Shovel (or snow blow) and sweep as much snow as possible before spreading salt.

● If needed, Scatter salt so there is space in between the grains (no piles!).

● Switch from salt to sand (or a treated de-icer) if the temperature is under 15℉.

● Sweep up excess salt after the ice has melted.

Follow the 4 S's and you will save money, protect our community’s infrastructure, AND keep salt out of our waterways! To learn more about salt pollution and salt reduction success stories, check out January 2026 Winter Week events at www.wintersaltweek.org.