Scientists And Lawmakers To Kick Off Winter Salt Week Jan. 26-30 At PA State Capitol To Tackle Road Salt Pollution

Road salt keeps drivers safe in winter storms, but the salt doesn’t disappear when the snow melts. It can seep into groundwater, linger for months or years, and steadily feed into streams, raising chloride and sodium levels that can threaten aquatic life and drinking water sources.

To spotlight the growing evidence of freshwater salinization — and the solutions within reach — Winter Salt Week 2026 kicks off nationwide at the Pennsylvania State Capitol Rotunda on Monday, January 26. 

The public and media can bring a local stream sample to be tested, see results appear instantly on a live salt pollution map, and learn about House Bill 664, (Webster-D-Montgomery) now awaiting state Senate action.

Stroud Water Research Center and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation are hosting stream water testing, “salty water” tastings, and live data display from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with partners Capital Area Regional Planning Commission (organizer of Winter Salt Week), and the Alliance for Aquatic Resource Monitoring. 

Rep. Joseph Webster and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation are hosting the press event from noon to 12:30 p.m.

Why This Matters Now

Recent coordinated monitoring has shown that salt pollution is widespread and not limited to winter storms. 

During the 2025 Fall Salt Snapshot led by the Stroud Center, most sites sampled during low-flow, groundwater-fed conditions still exceeded at least one environmental chloride guideline — evidence that salt can persist long after application. 

Fall data can be viewed on the Stroud Center’s interactive salt map alongside Winter Salt Week results.  Read more here.

Winter Salt Week (January 26–30) is a week dedicated to raising awareness around salt pollution and reduction solutions.

Part of Winter Salt Week, the Winter Salt Snapshot, led by the Stroud Center, brings together communities across the mid-Atlantic to monitor salt in freshwater streams, share data, and elevate solutions that protect waterways while keeping roads safe.

Proposed Solution

House Bill 664, which passed the Pennsylvania House, would require the development of a Road Salt Management Best Practices Guide to help communities reduce salt impacts while maintaining winter safety.

John K. Jackson, Ph.D., Senior Research Scientist, Stroud Water Research Center said-- “People expect salt pollution to be a winter-only problem. But our monitoring shows it can become a year-round issue — stored in groundwater and steadily leaking into streams.

Winter Salt Week helps communities see what’s happening in their own backyard, in real time, and learn what they can do about it.”

Rep. Joseph Webster (D–Montgomery) added-- “Road Salt is meant to be used in moderation, and we need better guidance with its current usage. That’s what my legislation with Rep. Ben Sanchez (D-Montgomery) looks to accomplish here in Pennsylvania. This is a move toward more sustainable practices that will keep our roads safe, but without the risk of further damaging our environment, harming wildlife, weakening infrastructure and costing us billions in repairs each year.”

Harry Campbell, Pennsylvania Science Policy and Advocacy Director, Chesapeake Bay Foundation explained-- “Safe roads and clean streams can go hand‑in‑hand. Most of us never think twice about the salt scattered on winter roads — but our streams do. The brook trout, hellbenders, and other wildlife do. What melts snow and ice on roads, parking lots, and sidewalks ends up in the water we fish, swim, and drink from. Modern application technologies, better calibration, and enhanced ‘good housekeeping’ can substantially reduce salt use without compromising public safety.”

Allison Madison, Wisconsin Salt Wise Program Manager, Capital Area Regional Planning Commission added--“Salt pollution is a local problem with actionable solutions. Winter Salt Week is about telling those stories.”

Peter Hughes, Board Member, Valley Forge Chapter of Trout Unlimited said--  “Valley Forge Trout Unlimited has been participating in the salt snapshot effort coordinated by Stroud since its inception a few years ago. Valley Creek is the crown jewel among Chester County streams. 

“The stream is heavily influenced by limestone that permeates its corridors and benefits by the many springs that add to its flow. Consequently, Valley Creek runs cool all year long, contains significant bug life, and is home to a thriving population of wild brown trout (no stocked fish), unique to the area. 

“Valley Creek runs through Valley Forge National Historical Park and was a source of fish to help feed General Washington's army. Therefore, VFTU closely monitors the stream. The level of salt in Valley Creek has been rising over the years and is a major threat to the trout and their food sources.”

Related Events/Resources

-- Winter Salt Week 2026 schedule

-- Salt Pollution Water Testing Event (West Chester Borough Hall)

-- Winter Salt Snapshot 2026 (regional sampling led by the Stroud Center)

The Stroud Center is also sharing road salt information and resources through its Cut the Salt campaign.  Read more here.

Citizen Salt Testing

Anyone can participate in Winter Salt Week by following #cutthesalt on social media, ordering a free Freshwater Test Kit, or bringing stream water samples to the Capitol event on January 26 or to a West Chester event on January 30.

Media questions should be directed to Diane Huskinson, Associate Director of Communications, Stroud Water Research Center 610-910-0048 or dhuskinson@stroudcenter.org. 

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 become a Friend Of Stroud Research,  Like them on Facebook, Follow on Twitter and visit their YouTube Channel.

For more on Chesapeake Bay-related issues in Pennsylvania, visit the Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA webpage.  Click Here to sign up for Pennsylvania updates (bottom of left column).  Click Here to support their work.

Also visit the Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership to learn how you can help clean water grow on trees.

Resource LinkS:

In oil and gas areas of Pennsylvania, illegal road dumping of conventional oil and gas wastewater year round literally adds tons of sodium chloride to roads every year to the point that deer lick paved roads during the summer to get the salt.

-- House Hearing: On Road Dumping Oil & Gas Wastewater - ‘We Studied This For Nearly 30 Years And The Conclusions Are The Same - The Wastewater Contains Harmful Contaminants’  [6.10.24] 

-- Late Night Road Dumping: Conventional Oil & Gas Wastewater Continues To Be Dumped On Dirt, Gravel, Paved Roads; DEP Expected To Provide Update At April 24 Meeting  [4.9.25]

-- Late Night Dumping II:  Conventional Oil & Gas Wastewater Dumping Continues On Roads, This Time With Bigger Trucks; New Research On Harmful Wastewater Impacts  [5.22.25] 

[Posted: January 21, 2026]  PA Environment Digest