“When it comes to the use of salt as a de-icer, less is more,” WTTW

WTTW: When it comes to the use of salt as a de-icer, less is more.

So says the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, along with a host of clean water advocacy organizations including the Northwest Water Planning Alliance, the Lower Des Plaines Watershed Group, the Conservation Foundation and the Lower DuPage River Watershed Coalition. As part of the Salt Smart Collaborative, the groups are collectively encouraging municipalities and residents to use a light hand when applying salt on sidewalks and roadways.

MWRD's message is "go easy on the salt," citing the negative impact excessive salting, which eventually makes its way into sewers, not only has on waterways and aquatic life but trees, plants and animal paws.

WTTW News reporter Patty Wetli shares some tips on how to best use salt this winter.

Watch the story