State and local officials on Monday launched a winter campaign urging New Yorkers to rethink how much rock salt they spread on roads and sidewalks.
The “Don’t Be Salty, New York” initiative calls on drivers, homeowners and businesses to cut back on salt use to protect drinking water and the environment, while transportation crews lean more on brine and upgraded plows to keep roads safe.
State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton said overuse of salt doesn’t just damage infrastructure and freshwater ecosystems, it can also seep into wells and public water systems. Excess sodium in drinking water can be a concern for people with certain health conditions, she noted.
Lefton said many New Yorkers use more salt than they need. It takes about 12 ounces of rock salt to treat 250 square feet, roughly a 20‑foot single‑car driveway or 10 standard sidewalk squares, according to DEC guidance.
What You Need To Know (SMART)
Shovel driveways and sidewalks to clear snow and ice before setting
Measure out how much rock salt you need. 12 ounces will treat 250 square feet, equal to about 10 residential sidewalk squares
Apply salt only if the temperature is above 15 degrees
Remove and collect leftover salt after ice melts so it doesn’t seep into groundwater or wash into surface waters
Talk to your friends and neighbors about these steps to help protect our waters
Instead of simply dumping salt, state transportation crews are increasingly pre‑treating highways with brine, a mixture of water and salt that sticks to pavement, and using edge and segmented plows to mechanically remove more snow and ice. Transportation officials say the goal is to reduce salt use without sacrificing safety on winter roads.
County highway departments are also adopting salt‑tracking technology that shows application rates, truck locations and road conditions in real time, allowing crews to target treatment and avoid oversalting.
The DEC is promoting a simple “be SMART with salt” checklist for residents: shovel first, measure before spreading, apply only what’s needed, remove leftover salt after storms and talk to neighbors or contractors about using less.
More information on the “Don’t Be Salty, New York” campaign and winter salt best practices is available at: www.dec.ny.gov/environmental-protection/water/rock-salt-reduction.