Salt helps keep our roads and sidewalks safe during the winter, but salt often makes its way to our local rivers. While salt use is necessary to increase winter safety, it is important to remember that the salt we put on sidewalks and roads eventually finds it’s way into the Des Planes River where it is not beneficial to the aquatic environment. Use salt sparingly. A 12 ounce coffee mug of salt is enough for 10 sidewalk squares.