Trent Lakes Council has approved a municipal Salt Management Plan that has a goal of protecting environment without compromising road safety.
Public Works Director Evan Grieger told council that a plan is a requirement under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act for municipalities that use more than 500 tonnes or more of salt each year.
Sodium Chloride road salt is used on hardtop road surfaces in Canada as de-icing and anti-icing agents during winter road maintenance.
Trent Lakes uses in the range of 600-800 tonnes a year, Grieger told council.
Salt Management Plans identify actions municipalities will take to improve salt management practices including storage, general use on roads and snow disposal.
The plan assesses current practices against recommended best management practices and identifies activities or operations that could release road salts into the environment. It provides response procedures to react to uncontrolled releases of road salts that could have environmental impacts.
Grieger said the pan is a living and dynamic document which will be reviewed and updated annually.
He said it includes a commitment to re-assess the use of straight salt on paved surfaces.
The municipality has adjusted to using a sand and salt mixture in areas adjacent to water bodies or the Alpine Lakes/Pirates Glen and Buckhorn Lake Estates water systems to make sure the salt is not a significant drinking water threat.
