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Road salt runoff prevention grants announced by Ohio EPA

By By Carly Moran The Center Square

December 26, 2023 3:13 PM

(The Center Square) – The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency announced a new funding program to reduce salt runoff into waterways during the Midwest winters.

The H2Ohio Chloride Reduction Grant Program will award about $1 million to local communities for equipment upgrades and storage solutions to prevent salt runoff.

“Road salt plays an incredibly important role in road safety, but we must also consider the impact of this salt on the quality of Ohio’s water,” Gov. Mike DeWine said. “This program will help local communities apply salt in a way that effectively treats slippery roads while also reducing the amount of salt that runs off the roads and into the water.”

The EPA says salt runoff can be toxic

The EPA says salt runoff can be toxic to freshwater animals and can also pollute drinking water, causing higher treatment costs and corroded pipes.

“This is what H2Ohio is all about,” EPA Director Anne Vogel said. “This is why Gov. DeWine started this program four years ago. It’s connecting hometowns all over Ohio with no-strings-attached funding that will then be used to make communities stronger, safer and healthier.”

Municipalities, townships, counties and other forms of government can all apply for up to $75,000 in funding though Jan. 31. Items that qualify for money include live-edge blades, salt spreader control systems, brine mixers and upgrades to salt storage facilities.

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