With support from Ontario’s Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) the Smart About Salt Council (SASC) announced today that it has developed and implemented the first of its kind program verification protocol.

Linked to SASC’s award-winning training and certification programs for winter maintenance contractors, facility owners/operators, municipal roads professionals and others, the verification protocol is a timely and first of its kind much coaching and feedback tool that will help SASC encourage the use of best management practices (BMP’s) in winter maintenance.

“Safety is paramount” said SASC volunteer President Eric Hodgins. Multiple studies confirm that there is a growing problem of chlorides in the environment that is having a negative impact on wildlife, drinking water and infrastructure. The challenge arises from the poor understanding of salt, typically sodium chloride (NaCl) (the very same product that is on your French fries), that is used in winter maintenance.

“We’re learning that there are better ways to promote safety while reducing the costs associated with winter maintenance”, shared Hodgins. “Little things can often have a big difference. For example, using salt in a brine solution has been shown to improve safety but also be a cost-effective winter maintenance practice that should be considered as part of any winter maintenance strategy” he added.

A partnership effort by industry and government in 2009 led to the creation of the Smart About Salt Council, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to protecting freshwater resources from the over application of salt. The Smart About Salt Council is unique, working transnationally to offer win-win education, certification and now verification that seeks to engage winter maintenance professionals and the public to adopt leading practices in winter maintenance.

“We help those facility owner and operators work with their contractors and others so that facilities and the public are protected. It’s about collaboration and awareness so that everyone concerned benefits, including our water resources” noted Hodgins.

For more information about the Smart About Salt Council (SASC) and its award-winning training programs please visit www.smartaboutsalt.com.