Huntsville councillors have directed municipal staff to conduct a detailed review of the town’s road salt usage and related policies following a general committee meeting on January 28.
The recommendation, brought forward by Climate Action Strategist David Zilkey and Acting Director of Operations Brandon Hall, follows a deputation from Friends of the Muskoka Watershed (FOTMW) last fall and a funding request tied to the group’s SALTYMuskoka initiative, which aims to reduce road salt use and salt pollution throughout the region.
In a report to council, Zilkey warned that rising chloride levels threaten aquatic ecosystems, vegetation, and drinking water supplies, noting that road salt inevitably makes its way into local waterways.
“In order to protect freshwater ecosystems, it is important to limit the application of salt wherever possible,” Zilkey said.
The Town currently uses a winter road mix of five per cent salt and 95 per cent sand. According to Zilkey, storing sand in a covered facility could reduce the salt concentration to three per cent, cutting salt use by an estimated 300 tonnes annually while still meeting the Town’s minimum maintenance standards. The proposed sand storage structure, with an estimated cost of $1.6 million, could be included in a future Operations Centre redevelopment.
While no direct funding is allocated for SALTYMuskoka in the 2026 budget, staff recommended that FOTMW apply through the Town’s Community Grants program, which could provide up to $1,500 toward the group’s $5,000 request.
Deputy Mayor Dan Armour expressed his support for the initiative and reiterated the negative effect salt has on the environment.
“Eventually all that salt ends up in our water system somehow, and the chloride goes up and creates havoc,” Armour said. “Down in Gravenhurst right now they’re having a terrible time in Muskoka Bay with that…So I think it’s great, anything we can do to help with that.”
Councillor Cory Clarke said he supports the motion but wants to be cautious about how it moves forward.
“We all know how important it is to have safe roads, especially with the liabilities we have,” he said. “But I do agree it is very important to protect our watersheds.”
Mayor Nancy Alcock asked staff whether they would compare Huntsville’s salt usage with that of other municipalities, and they confirmed that would be part of the review.
“One of the things we’re trying to do with this review is to get a better understanding of how this fits across other municipalities, both within Muskoka and outside of it, to make sure that what we’re doing is in line with best practices both operationally and environmentally,” Zilkey said.
Council directed staff to review road salt usage policies, explore reduction measures including a sand storage structure, assist FOTMW with a community grant application, and report back.
