Events

Winter Salt Week is an annual awareness campaign, highlighting the environmental damage from excessive road salt pollution to freshwater, infrastructure, and drinking water, while promoting best practices, smart salting techniques, and solutions to keep Michigan’s precious lakes and streams fresh.  It involves virtual webinars with experts and local action days for communities, public works, and residents to learn about reducing salt use. 

Key Goals of Winter Salt Week:

• Educate: Inform the public, private contractors, and government officials about how road salt harms infrastructure (bridges, pipes) and pollutes water.
• Promote Solutions: Showcase effective methods like using brine, proper application rates (just a few inches apart!), and alternative de-icers.
• Encourage Action: Inspire individuals and municipalities to adopt “smart salting” practices to protect freshwater resources, as salt pollution is permanent. 

What Happens During the Week:

• Webinars: Experts discuss salt’s impact, environmental justice, and policy solutions.
• Public Works Perspectives: State and local staff share real-world challenges and successes.
• Local Action Days: Groups monitor chloride levels in local lakes and streams using tools like Salt Watch kits.

You can find specific dates and resources at https://wintersaltweek.org/.