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==Guidelines==
 
==Guidelines==
[[File:Temporal changes (5-yr median) 1966 - 2022.jpg|thumb|600px|Temporal changes in 5-year median chloride concentration (1966-2020). All stations had higher median chloride concentrations in 2016-2020 compared to the last time 5-year median concentrations were culminated into a report (2011-2015) and the difference in concentration between time periods appeared to be greater for stations with higher chloride concentrations. The reasons behind this pattern are unknown and warrant further investigation, but median concentrations are above the chronic level of 120 mg/L in all of the more urbanized watersheds, south towards Lake Ontario (TRCA, 2021).<ref name="example2">TRCA. 2021. Spatial Patterns (2016-2020) and Temporal Trends (1966-2020) in Stream Water Quality across TRCA’s Jurisdiction. Prepared by Watershed Planning and Ecosystem Science. October, 2021. https://trcaca.s3.ca-central 1.amazonaws.com/app/uploads/2021/10/29113334/2016-2020-SWQ-Report-v11_FINAL_AODA-FA.pdf</ref>]]  
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[[File:Temporal changes (5-yr median) 1966 - 2022.jpg|thumb|600px|Temporal changes in 5-year median chloride concentration (1966-2020). All stations had higher median chloride concentrations in 2016-2020 compared to the last time 5-year median concentrations were culminated into a report (2011-2015) and the difference in concentration between time periods appeared to be greater for stations with higher chloride concentrations. The reasons behind this pattern are unknown and warrant further investigation, but median concentrations are above the chronic level of 120 mg/L in all of the more urbanized watersheds, south towards Lake Ontario (TRCA, 2021).<ref name="example2">TRCA. 2021. Spatial Patterns (2016-2020) and Temporal Trends (1966-2020) in Stream Water Quality across TRCA’s Jurisdiction. Prepared by Watershed Planning and Ecosystem Science. October, 2021. https://sustainabletechnologies.ca/app/uploads/2021/10/2016-2020-SWQ-Report-v11_FINAL_AODA-FA.pdf</ref>]]  
    
[[File:Avg. chloride conc 2016 - 2020.jpg|thumb|600px|Average chloride concentration between 2016 - 2020 from collected grab samples. Most stations in the Southeastern part of TRCA's watershed within the Etobicoke, Mimico Creeks and the Humber River had much higher than the CWQG acute level of chloride (640mg/L), some at more than ~3 times this concentration (TRCA, 2021).<ref name="example2" />.]]  
 
[[File:Avg. chloride conc 2016 - 2020.jpg|thumb|600px|Average chloride concentration between 2016 - 2020 from collected grab samples. Most stations in the Southeastern part of TRCA's watershed within the Etobicoke, Mimico Creeks and the Humber River had much higher than the CWQG acute level of chloride (640mg/L), some at more than ~3 times this concentration (TRCA, 2021).<ref name="example2" />.]]  
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In previous years, chloride concentrations greater than sea level concentrations ('''19,000 mg/L''') have been observed in tributaries of the Credit River.
 
In previous years, chloride concentrations greater than sea level concentrations ('''19,000 mg/L''') have been observed in tributaries of the Credit River.
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To access current levels of water quality (including chloride, conductivity and four other water quality parameters) in the Credit River Watershed please access [https://cvc.ca/real-time-monitoring/?filter_keywords=&filter_station_type%5B%5D=181&post_type=station#filters '''Credit Valley Conservation's (CVC's) Real-Time Monitoring Network desktop tool'''] below:
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{{Clickable button|[[File:Waterquality CVC Gauge.JPG|100 px|link=https://trca.ca/conservation/drinking-water-source-protection/trspa-water-balance-tool/]]}}
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The network consists of 11 different stations that measure common water  quality parameters from Orangeville all the way south to the lakeshore in Port Credit.
    
==Salt & LID==
 
==Salt & LID==
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*Selection of plants tolerant to elevated soil concentrations of salt ([[Plant lists#Plant Characteristics|Salt tolerance in plants]])
 
*Selection of plants tolerant to elevated soil concentrations of salt ([[Plant lists#Plant Characteristics|Salt tolerance in plants]])
 
*Inclusion of [[pretreatment|sumps or forebays]] without plants that reduce loads through infiltration  
 
*Inclusion of [[pretreatment|sumps or forebays]] without plants that reduce loads through infiltration  
*High permeability soils that allow more rapid flushing of salt from soils during rain events ([[Bioretention: Filter media|Specialized High permeable soils]])
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*High permeability soils that allow more rapid flushing of salt from soils during rain events (e.g., [[Bioretention: Filter media|Bioretention filter media]], proprietary high flow rate filter media products)
*Perforated distribution pipes that are offset from root balls to reduce exposure during early tree establishment ([[Stormwater Tree Trenches]])
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*Perforated distribution pipes that are offset from tree and shrub root balls to reduce exposure during early establishment (e.g., [[Stormwater Tree Trenches]])
    
In drinking water protection areas, bypasses may be used to limit exposure to road salts during winter months where aquifers are vulnerable and ensures that any heavily-laden stormwater will "bypass" the practice and flow to the downstream street inlet to the Municipality's storm sewer system.
 
In drinking water protection areas, bypasses may be used to limit exposure to road salts during winter months where aquifers are vulnerable and ensures that any heavily-laden stormwater will "bypass" the practice and flow to the downstream street inlet to the Municipality's storm sewer system.
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* [https://www.peelregion.ca/transportation/winter/maintenance-commercial.asp#propertyowners Peel Region] 
 
* [https://www.peelregion.ca/transportation/winter/maintenance-commercial.asp#propertyowners Peel Region] 
 
* [https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/living-here/winter-maintenance-for-commercial-properties.aspx Waterloo Region]
 
* [https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/living-here/winter-maintenance-for-commercial-properties.aspx Waterloo Region]
* [https://www.hamilton.ca/sites/default/files/media/browser/2022-01-17/coh-salt-management-plan2021.pdf Hamilton Region]<br>
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* [https://www.hamilton.ca/home-neighbourhood/getting-around/streets-sidewalks/snow-clearing Hamilton Region]<br>
    
===Winter Maintenance Professionals===
 
===Winter Maintenance Professionals===
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*[https://pub-peelregion.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=9868 Using Liquids to Reduce Winter salt Use on Commercial Parking Lots]<ref>: Murison, L., Oswald, C., Gillion, E., and International Landscaping Inc. 2022. Salt Management - Partnership and Outreach Update. https://pub-peelregion.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=9868.</ref>
 
*[https://pub-peelregion.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=9868 Using Liquids to Reduce Winter salt Use on Commercial Parking Lots]<ref>: Murison, L., Oswald, C., Gillion, E., and International Landscaping Inc. 2022. Salt Management - Partnership and Outreach Update. https://pub-peelregion.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=9868.</ref>
**This ongoing study is being conducted by Peel Regio and LSRCA staff, along with contractor International Landscaping Inc. to evaluate the feasibility and environmental benefits (specifically, the reduction of chloride (Cl) entering the environment) of using liquid anti-icing with NaCl brine (with and without beet juice additive) on commercial parking lots. Updated reports and findings will be posted here once published
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**This ongoing study is being conducted by Peel Region and LSRCA staff, along with contractor International Landscaping Inc. to evaluate the feasibility and environmental benefits (specifically, the reduction of chloride (Cl) entering the environment) of using liquid anti-icing with NaCl brine (with and without beet juice additive) on commercial parking lots. Updated reports and findings will be posted here once published
    
*[https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/living-here/resources/Documents/water/was-protect_closed_sign_program.PDF Closing Areas to Reduce Salt Use and Winter Maintenance Costs]<ref>Region of Waterloo. 2020. Salt reduction partnership. Region of Waterloo, Water Services. https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/living-here/resources/Documents/water/was-protect_closed_sign_program.PDF</ref>
 
*[https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/living-here/resources/Documents/water/was-protect_closed_sign_program.PDF Closing Areas to Reduce Salt Use and Winter Maintenance Costs]<ref>Region of Waterloo. 2020. Salt reduction partnership. Region of Waterloo, Water Services. https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/living-here/resources/Documents/water/was-protect_closed_sign_program.PDF</ref>
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*[http://www.smartaboutsalt.com/ Smart about Salt]<ref>Smart About Salt Council (SASC). n.d. Smart About Salt: Winter Salt Management Program. http://www.smartaboutsalt.com/</ref>
 
*[http://www.smartaboutsalt.com/ Smart about Salt]<ref>Smart About Salt Council (SASC). n.d. Smart About Salt: Winter Salt Management Program. http://www.smartaboutsalt.com/</ref>
 
** The website of the Smart About Salt Council (SASC) that offers training, recommendations, research and up to date news articles about the importance of proper management and use of rock salt on Ontario roadways, parking lots, private and residential properties. Training is offered in both English and French.   
 
** The website of the Smart About Salt Council (SASC) that offers training, recommendations, research and up to date news articles about the importance of proper management and use of rock salt on Ontario roadways, parking lots, private and residential properties. Training is offered in both English and French.   
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*[http://www.prismalight.com/client/row_swim_2023/-2_SWiM_Contractor_Cut_Nov10_2023-1920x1080_10K.mp4 Region of Waterloo Winter Maintenance (Contractors & Commercial Properties) Video]<ref>Region of Waterloo. 2022. Winter Maintenance for Commercial Properties. Water and Wastewater/Salt Management. https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/living-here/winter-maintenance-for-commercial-properties.aspx</ref>
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** A 7 min. video highlighting what novel best management practices Commercial property owners and winter management contractors are taking to better protect their properties and clientele, as well as the Region of Waterloo's local water systems, (well water, surface water and groundwater systems).
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*[http://www.prismalight.com/client/row_swim_2023/-1_SWiM_Public_Cut_Nov10_2023-1920x1080_10K.mp4 Region of Waterloo Winter Maintenance & Salt Management (Public & Homeowners) Video]<ref>Region of Waterloo. 2022. Snow and Ice Clearing Tips for Homeowners. Water and Wastewater/Salt Management. https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/living-here/snow-and-ice-clearing-tips-for-homeowners.aspx</ref>
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** A 7 min. video aimed at the general public to bring awareness to the issues of over salting and increasingly high levels of chloride entering our natural water systems. The video discusses best management practices that the  Region of Waterloo is taking in conjunction with private companies in both Canada and the U.S on a novel innovative program known as [https://witadvisers.com/swim/ Sustainable Winter Management (SWiM®)] that highlights new methods for contractors to implement new products and technologies that greatly reduce overall salt use in the Region.
    
*[https://sustainabletechnologies.ca/app/uploads/2016/01/Salt-brochures-v11.pdf Salt Application Verified Equipment (SAVE) Program: Managing Risk While Saving Money]<ref>STEP. 2016. Salt Application Verified Equipment Program: Managing Risk While Saving Money. Brief. https://sustainabletechnologies.ca/app/uploads/2016/01/Salt-brochures-v11.pdf</ref>
 
*[https://sustainabletechnologies.ca/app/uploads/2016/01/Salt-brochures-v11.pdf Salt Application Verified Equipment (SAVE) Program: Managing Risk While Saving Money]<ref>STEP. 2016. Salt Application Verified Equipment Program: Managing Risk While Saving Money. Brief. https://sustainabletechnologies.ca/app/uploads/2016/01/Salt-brochures-v11.pdf</ref>
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**This study of the impacts of road salt on local ecosystems by Hintz and Relyea (2019), found that road salts negatively affect species at all trophic levels, from biofilms to fish species but the concentration of road salt where adverse effects were observed varied and the effects themselves ranged from reductions in fecundity, size and shape to alterations to nutrient and energy flow at an ecosystem level and increased greenhouse gas emissions from contaminated wetlands and altered hydrology and oxygen, nitrogen and carbon level dynamics in lakes and streams. Concentrations at which road salt triggered an effect varied considerably. To read more about their findings, click the link above.
 
**This study of the impacts of road salt on local ecosystems by Hintz and Relyea (2019), found that road salts negatively affect species at all trophic levels, from biofilms to fish species but the concentration of road salt where adverse effects were observed varied and the effects themselves ranged from reductions in fecundity, size and shape to alterations to nutrient and energy flow at an ecosystem level and increased greenhouse gas emissions from contaminated wetlands and altered hydrology and oxygen, nitrogen and carbon level dynamics in lakes and streams. Concentrations at which road salt triggered an effect varied considerably. To read more about their findings, click the link above.
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*[https://www.hamilton.ca/sites/default/files/media/browser/2022-01-17/coh-salt-management-plan2021.pdf Hamilton Salt Management Plan]<ref>City of Hamilton. 2021. 2021 Salt Management Plan. https://www.hamilton.ca/sites/default/files/media/browser/2022-01-17/coh-salt-management-plan2021.pdf</ref>.  
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*[https://www.hamilton.ca/sites/default/files/2023-12/streets-salt-management-plan2021-final.pdf Hamilton Salt Management Plan]<ref>City of Hamilton. 2021. 2021 Salt Management Plan. https://www.hamilton.ca/sites/default/files/media/browser/2022-01-17/coh-salt-management-plan2021.pdf</ref>.  
 
**The City of Hamilton's 2021 Salt Management Plan is intended to set out a policy and procedural framework for ensuring that the City continuously improves the management of road salt used in its winter maintenance operations. The plan is dynamic and allows the City to phase in new approaches and technologies in a way that is responsive to fiscal demands and the need to ensure that roadway safety is not compromised. To read more about the City's finalized plan that compares it's current practices to BMPs, opportunities for improvement, and achievement metrics which can be replicated for other Ontario municipalities, click the link above.
 
**The City of Hamilton's 2021 Salt Management Plan is intended to set out a policy and procedural framework for ensuring that the City continuously improves the management of road salt used in its winter maintenance operations. The plan is dynamic and allows the City to phase in new approaches and technologies in a way that is responsive to fiscal demands and the need to ensure that roadway safety is not compromised. To read more about the City's finalized plan that compares it's current practices to BMPs, opportunities for improvement, and achievement metrics which can be replicated for other Ontario municipalities, click the link above.
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*[https://www.peelregion.ca/pw/transportation/residents/winter-road-maintenance.asp Peel Region Salt Management Plan]<ref>Region of Peel. 2022. Salt Management Plan. https://www.peelregion.ca/pw/transportation/residents/winter-road-maintenance.asp</ref>.
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**The Region of Peel's Salt Management Plan summarizes effective salt usage in order to combat snow and ice and decrease overall salt usage. The Region continues to research new methods and apply best practices to reduce the amount of salt used while maintaining a safe bare pavement standard including: Anti-icing / Pre-wetting technology / Salt reduction initiatives / Other new technology and best practices.
    
===Proprietary Systems===
 
===Proprietary Systems===

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