Saud Anwar

Sen. Anwar-Sponsored Legislation Ensuring Training and Best Practices for Application of Sodium Chloride Heard in Environment Committee

This week, legislation co-sponsored by State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) in response to a growing issue he has heard about from concerned constituents received a public hearing in the Environment Committee. The legislation, which seeks to provide training and certification for roadside applicators of sodium chloride – prominently used during winter as a preventive measure against snow and ice – is intended to help reduce negative consequences of over-application, including environmental concerns and corruption of home well water systems, seen in several Connecticut homes already.

“Having training standards in place for use of sodium chloride will be an important step to reduce the environmental harms that overuse of the substance can cause,” said Sen. Anwar. “I first raised concerns about sodium chloride pollution years ago after hearing from my constituents about issues with home well water systems, including some requiring expensive replacements. I’m confident that this legislation will ensure the issue is taken more seriously.”

“Minimizing the potentially damaging impacts of sodium chloride to homeowners and ensuring that our residents have clean, potable water is the goal of this legislation,” said State Senator Christine Cohen, Senate Chair of the Environment Committee. “By providing this comprehensive training program to applicators statewide, we can further the good results we have seen in municipalities who have undergone certification. I am grateful to Senator Anwar for raising awareness on this important issue and am hopeful we can continue to make progress for our environment, as well as private well owners.”

Senate Bill 240, “An Act Concerning The Use of Sodium Chloride To Mitigate Snow And Ice Conditions,” would lead to the formation of a training program for roadside applicators to better inform them of best practices for applying the substance to roads. In return for applicators receiving training and certification, they would receive protection from liability as long as they use best practices to reduce sodium chloride’s environmental impact. It received a public hearing Monday, March 7.

In testimony, Department of Public Health Commissioner Manisha Juthani, MD, said the overuse of salt in mitigating ice and snow is impacting Connecticut drinking water resources, leading to increased corrosivity that can introduce traces of harmful metals in water, cause damage to plumbing and appliances running on water and spur increased presence of contaminates like manganese, iron and hardness.

Groups testifying to support this legislation include the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority, the Connecticut Council of Small Towns and The Nature Conservancy in Connecticut.