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Most recently, staff from the TRCA released an article in the January/February, 2022 edition of Water Canada magazine entitled, [https://cdn.watercanada.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/17161341/WC122_JanFeb2022_DIGITAL.pdf "Freshwater Salinization: Can we keep our freshwater fresh?",] highlighting the effects of rock salt's over use and application across Southern Ontario's watersheds and its impact on freshwater environments and species.
Some of the key findings from the article highlight:*In Ontario chloride concentrations (Cl<sup>-</sup>) are measured monthly under the Provincial Water Quality Monitoring Network (PWQMN)<ref>Ontario Government. 2021. Provincial (Stream) Water Quality Monitoring Network. https://data.ontario.ca/dataset/provincial-stream-water-quality-monitoring-network (Accessed: 25 Mar., 2022)</ref>. Concentrations in the mouth of the Don River has showcased levels three times that of the Canadian Water Quality Guidance (CWQG) for long-term chronic effects to the environment and species. *Although the PWQMN has ben an excellent tool for following the long-term trends of median concentration levels in the province's watersheds due to the infrequency of sampling, peak values will at times be missed, and extreme values and extreme values and outliers that result in excessive salt and chloride loadings in key areas with species at risk, etc.*As a result, TRCA, along with its partners began a monitoring project at the mouths of the major tributaries within the GTA using high-frequency conductivity sensors, which make readings every 15 mins.*Some of the results from their monitoring work found**''Highland Creek'': (Peak concentration of ''8,400 mg/L'') - 70 times the CWQG limit for chronic effects & 13 times the CWQG limit for acute effects of aquatic organisms.**''Duffins Creek'': (Peak concentration of ''~3,000 mg/L'') - 25 times the CWQG limit for chronic effects & ~5 times the CWQG limit for acute effects of aquatic organisms.
→Recent Local Findings
**Mutations / Bioaccumulation / Dermal Effects / Taste and odour of water and fish
**Mutations / Bioaccumulation / Dermal Effects / Taste and odour of water and fish
===Recent Local Findings===
===Observed Stream Concentrations===
Monitoring data show that our freshwater resources are become increasingly salinized, particularly in urban areas. As the graphic shows, several urban streams in the GTA have average chloride concentrations exceeding the chronic toxicity threshold, and at some monitoring stations, even the acute toxicity threshold is exceeded. This is not just a winter problem; it can take months for water to move through the soils and into the rivers, resulting in high concentrations even in the spring and summer during sensitive life stages for many aquatic species.
In 2022, on-line sensors were installed to measure chloride concentrations at the mouth of several GTA watersheds. The monitoring results included: (Wallace, et al. 2022.)<ref>Wallace, A., Hitch, C., Ruppert, J., Chomicki, K., Cartwright, L., and VanSeters, T. 2022. Freshwater Salinization. Water Canada. January/February 2022. WC122. Digital. https://cdn.watercanada.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/17161341/WC122_JanFeb2022_DIGITAL.pdf</ref><br>
*'''''Highland Creek''''': (Peak concentration of ''8,400 mg/L'') - 70 times the CWQG limit for chronic effects & 13 times the CWQG limit for acute effects of aquatic organisms.<br>
*'''''Duffins Creek''''': (Peak concentration of ''~3,000 mg/L'') - 25 times the CWQG limit for chronic effects & ~5 times the CWQG limit for acute effects of aquatic organisms.<br>
*These high concentrations pose a considerable threat to fish, aquatic organisms, and ecosystem health overall - especially considering the frequency and duration of these values in major watercourses in urbanized areas of the province. The findings highlight the need for increased water monitoring efforts and requirements for new sensor technology to capture an accurate representation of the current state of our rivers and streams.
*These high concentrations pose a considerable threat to fish, aquatic organisms, and ecosystem health overall - especially considering the frequency and duration of these values in major watercourses in urbanized areas of the province. The findings highlight the need for increased water monitoring efforts and requirements for new sensor technology to capture an accurate representation of the current state of our rivers and streams. (Wallace, et al. 2022.)<ref>Wallace, A., Hitch, C., Ruppert, J., Chomicki, K., Cartwright, L., and VanSeters, T. 2022. Freshwater Salinization. Water Canada. January/February 2022. WC122. Digital. https://cdn.watercanada.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/17161341/WC122_JanFeb2022_DIGITAL.pdf</ref>
==Salt Alternatives==
==Salt Alternatives==