PA Environment Digest Blog: Stroud Water Research Center ‘Cut The Salt’ Citizen Science Project Invites You To Test Your Nearby Stream For Salt

Over the past 50 years, the use of road salt during winter has dramatically increased, impacting our streams, lakes, and rivers year-round, according to the Stroud Water Research Center..

It’s time to Cut the Salt.

While road salt manages winter road conditions, it can have serious unintended consequences.

High concentrations of salt disrupt aquatic life, damage plant growth, harm community infrastructure, and lead to the contamination of local waterways all year.

You can make a difference by testing your local waterway! Order a free Freshwater Test Kit to measure salt levels and learn about the impacts of winter salt. Your data will help us better understand the problem and educate our communities.

Tag Stroud Water Research Center on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, and share your testing experience with the Stroud Center community using #cutthesalt.

Click Here to request your free water test kit.

For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the Stroud Water Research Center website, Click Here to subscribe to UpStream. Click Here to subscribe to Stroud’s Educator newsletter. Click Here to become a Friend Of Stroud Research, Like them on Facebook, Follow on Twitter and visit their YouTube Channel.

The Chester County-based Stroud Center seeks to advance knowledge and stewardship of freshwater systems through global research, education, and watershed restoration.

Upcoming Events:

-- PA Organization For Watersheds & Rivers Hosts Jan. 16 Webinar On Winter Salting and Local Waterway Impacts: Opportunities To Work For Change [PaEN]

-- Penn State Extension Hosts Jan. 29 Webinar On Ice Melter Impacts And Reduction Strategy [PaEN]

Resource Link:

-- Pike Conservation District: Sliding Into Winter! One 12 Ounce Mug Of Salt Is All You Need To Prevent Ice From Forming On A 20 Foot Driveway [PaEN]

-- PA Interfaith Power & Light Accepting Requests For Free Native Trees From Anywhere In PA [PaEN]

-- Pike Conservation District: Funding Available To Farmers Through Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program [Check With Your County Conservation District]

-- DEP Invites Groups To Submit Data Related To Stream Redesignation Evaluations Of 66 Wild Trout Streams In Berks, Blair, Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Columbia, Crawford, Cumberland, Elk, Erie, Franklin, Indiana, Jefferson, Lebanon, McKean, Potter, Schuylkill, Snyder, Tioga, Venango Counties

-- DEP Extends Comment Deadline On Draft Guidance On Community Water Systems Design Standards To March 3

-- DEP Publishes Examination Schedule For Sewage Enforcement Officers

-- Chesapeake Bay Landscape Professionals: Level 1 Certification Training Registration Now Open [PaEN]

-- Brodhead Watershed Association Water At Risk - Counting Our Blessings - By Carol Hillestad for Brodhead Watershed Association, Monroe County [PaEN]