Each year, over 20 million metric tons of road salt (e.g., sodium chloride) are applied to U.S. roadways as a de-icing agent. Much of this salt makes its way into our rivers and streams that serve as a source of drinking water by downstream municipalities. This talk will show how road salt application in southeastern Pennsylvania is impacting our local watersheds, drinking water infrastructure, and tap water. We will also explore how salt concentrations in streams are linked with the amount of impervious surfaces within the watershed, and evaluate potential solutions that might benefit our streams.

Dr. Steven Goldsmith is a watershed biogeochemist at Villanova University with over 20 years’ experience evaluating how anthropogenic practices impact streamwater quality. He has researched a wide array of streams from the tropics to Antarctica and is a regular collaborator with the Lower Merion Conservancy.

This event was hosted in partnership with the St. Joseph’s University Institute for Environmental Stewardship.

The Lower Merion Conservancy’s webinars are made possible by membership gifts and donations.

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