Township of Lake of Bays supports appeal to province for road salt legislation

A study says commercial salt use at 15 times the amount required

The Township of Lake of Bays supported an appeal to the province for road salt legislation, in the August 12, 2025, meeting.

They received a letter from the Town of Bracebridge, who are also supporting the appeal, with alarming reports from the District of Muskoka regarding the impact of road salt use.

Councillor, Mike Peppard, said the District of Muskoka conducted a study that showed commercial use at 10 to 15 times the amount required.

He added that Lake Muskoka has a 15% increase in chloride levels since the 1070s.

According to the letter, the District reported an increase in chloride in 80 or 29% of its 274 lakes between 2018-2022, with a quarter of them above 10mg/L – a level “far below the 120mg/L long-term or chronic exposure guideline.”

Research indicates a negative impact of the salt to aquatic life from being exposed to the increase in chloride levels.

The letter outlined two recommendations:

The first is that Council make a commitment to reducing the use of road salt where feasible, with consideration to road safety. Actions include annual reporting of road salt usage, supporting local research about impacts to the community, and efforts toward public education.

The second request “urges the Province of Ontario to work urgently with key stakeholders to develop limited liability legislation.”

The legislation request involves enforcing contractor training, endorsing Best Management Practices for salt use on private lands, and creating an expert advisory committee to report to the province and municipalities about actions that can be taken to protect freshwater ecosystems, drinking water, and infrastructure from the effects of road salt.

Mayor, Terry Glover, said, “The message here is to start communication around the issue.”

Superintendent of Public Works, Steve Piece, advised that the Township uses salted sand, rather than straight salt, therefore, they are “well below the numbers.” However, they will still monitor salt usage.

Piece added, “Each year we look at usage and ways of reducing it… However, when conditions call for it, we have to react.”

He also indicated that the salt “makes the road worse, including degradation of roads.”

There’s also a financial benefit of the Township using sand, said Piece, indicating that “the cost of salt is $90 per tonne versus sand at $15 to $20 per tonne.

Councillor, Nancy Tapley, said the less salt used the better. She added, “Our ecosystem will collapse on us if we don’t do this.” 

Staff suggested that measures can also include public education and working with insurance companies “to get property owners to reduce salt.”

The resolution will be sent to the Ontario Premier, Ministry of Environment, Attorney General, Muskoka-Parry Sound MPP, Conservation Ontario, Association of Municipalities of Ontario, Association of Municipal Managers, District of Muskoka and area municipalities.

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