Keeping our Lake Clean: Why Reducing Salt Use Matters
Every winter in New Hampshire, salt is spread on roads, driveways, and walkways to keep us safe from ice. But while it’s effective at melting snow, this simple act has a hidden downside, one that’s threatening the lakes and ponds that define the beauty and character of our state. As a waterfront homeowner, you have a special role and responsibility in protecting these precious resources. Here’s why cutting back on salt use near our lakes is so important, and what you can do to help.
Salt and Our Lakes: A Growing Concern
Salt - mainly sodium chloride, is the most common de-icing material used throughout New Hampshire. After it’s applied, melting snow and rain wash much of that salt off paved surfaces and directly into our waterways. Unlike some pollutants, salt doesn’t break down in the environment. It accumulates in lakes, ponds, and groundwater, raising the salinity of these freshwater systems. In addition, it does not get removed during the water treatment process at water treatment plants.
The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NH DES) has tracked rising chloride levels in many of our lakes, including Canobie Lake. Even moderate increases in salt can upset the delicate ecological balance. Many native fish, amphibians, and small aquatic creatures are sensitive to salt; elevated levels can make it harder for them to survive, reproduce, and thrive. In severe cases, it can lead to large-scale die-offs and irreversible changes to the ecosystem.
How Salt Pollution Hits Home
The impact of salt doesn’t stop at the water’s edge. When lakes and ponds become saltier, the effects ripple through the community and can reach your doorstep.
First, degraded water quality can threaten property values. The clear, clean water that makes lakefront living so special can become cloudy and less appealing when salt levels rise. High chloride levels also affect drinking water, especially for homes that draw directly from the lake or local wells. Removing salt from water is costly and challenging.
Moreover, increased salt can harm the plants along your shoreline, leading to erosion and loss of the natural barriers that filter pollutants and protect your property from runoff. Recreational activities can also suffer if salt triggers harmful algal blooms or other water quality issues.
What Homeowners Can Do
The good news is that every lakefront owner can make a difference. Here are some simple, effective ways to reduce salt pollution:
Shovel First: Clear walkways and driveways of snow before applying any salt.
Use Less Salt: Apply only what’s necessary for safety. A coffee mug full is enough for a typical driveway.
Request low salting: Encourage the town’s DPW to do low salting around water bodies
Maintain Buffer Zones: Preserve or plant vegetation along your shoreline to absorb runoff and filter pollutants.
Spread the Word: Talk to neighbors and local officials about best practices and support community efforts to cut down on salt use.
Our Shared Responsibility
Protecting our lake is a shared responsibility. By being mindful of how and where we use salt, especially near the water, we can help preserve these special places for swimming, fishing, and boating, and for future generations to enjoy. Every grain of salt we keep out of our lakes is a step toward cleaner, healthier water for everyone.