Residents need to be aware of road salt's damage to storm water system
The Oct. 9 Budgeteer News had a beautiful fall photograph gracing the front page. Next to it was an article that referenced Duluth's storm water system functionality and encouraged citizens to help keep catch basins free of fallen leaves. Threats to trout spawning areas by sediment and flooding were linked to blocked drainage. Trout habitat was mentioned because storm water management is heavily dependent on the DNR designated trout streams that bisect this city. All impervious surface drainage eventually empties into Lake Superior or the St. Louis River estuary, carried by this stream flow. Some municipalities direct storm water through natural or industrial wastewater treatment before re-release into the environment.
Unfortunately, the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District treatment plant already has its hands full trying to stop raw sewage overflows by eliminating surface and subsurface water infiltration to the sanitary sewer system.
Along with sediment and the toxic metals that it picks up and chemically binds, winter de-icing agents (mostly rock salt) draining to trout streams has probably eliminated most aquatic organism survival beyond one winter. My research and sampling indicates the toxic solution of road flow can be twice the limit of tolerance of trout. Stocking of brown trout and brook trout by the DNR continues in city waterways, but the fish do not survive. The electrical conductivity created by de-icing salts is more than they can bear.
Duluth and the unique streams it holds are topographically spectacular and beautiful to behold. Can we not forgo some of our ability to drive in winter weather -- and at top speeds, in favor of more limited application of road salt?
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Tell your city councilor and street maintenance to reduce the purchase and use of road salt. The cost is just too great. A change in personal behavior is also required.
Linda Ross Sellner
Duluth
