91²Ö¿â Biological Sciences Assistant Professor Lauren Kinsman-Costello, Ph.D., confirmed the possibility that increasing amounts of road salt could potentially end up in Ohio’s water supply, but it is very unlikely.
Dr. Kinsman-Costello has spent decades studying water patterns in Portage and Cuyahoga counties.
“The amount of road salt we’re using is increasing faster than our cities and population are growing,†Dr. Kinsman-Costello told WKYC. “Water can carry that salt into ground water.â€
It is unlikely to get into Cleveland’s water supply though.
“If we’re getting our drinking water out of such a large source, such as Lake Erie, road salt isn’t directly going to affect you,†Dr. Kinsman-Costello said in the video. “But if you’re getting water from a river, it’s possible.â€
Along with drinking water, Dr. Kinsman-Costello also confirmed that road salt is doing real damage to sea life and plant growth. Many places across the country are changing their de-icing methods and beginning to use brine or potatoes to melt snow and ice on the roads.
To see the whole video on WKYC’s site, visit
