Winter road salt will remain in New Jersey waterways for months

While road salt makes traveling safer for drivers and pedestrians, it can impact drinking water, local waterways and wildlife.

By: Maddie Rosenberg

Outlets: South Jersey Climate News

Published: February 27, 2026

Words: 512

Last Updated: 3 weeks ago

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The snow and ice in New Jersey is finally melting, but the impacts of de-icing road salt will remain into the Spring, experts say.

Road salt applied during storms eventually washes into groundwater and storm drains, ending up in local waterways. And this causes chloride levels in water to spike above safe levels.

“Water quality standards state that chloride levels in surface waters should never exceed 860 parts per million, above which the salinity …

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