Winter Salt Watch - SciStarter

Road salt is everywhere during winter months. It keeps us safe on roads and sidewalks, but it can also pose a threat to fish and wildlife as well as human health. Fish and bugs that live in freshwater streams can't survive in extra salty water. And many of us (more than 118 million Americans) depend on local streams for drinking water. Water treatment plants are not equipped to filter out the extra salt, so it can end up in your tap water and even corrode your pipes. What can you do? The Izaak Walton League of America is mobilizing volunteers nationwide to measure the salt levels in local streams and rivers. Using a simple chloride strip, volunteers gather and submit their readings with the Water Reporter app. Sampling only takes five minutes, but your data can have a huge impact!