Road salt application in the winter can have impacts on the water quality of our streams and fisheries both from the direct runoff and the persistent leaching into the groundwater aquifers.
In 2025, PVTU participated in the January 31st Salt Day, a regional stream sampling event sponsored by the Stroud Water Research Center. PVTU sampled locations on the head waters of both the Perkiomen Creek and the West Branch of the Perkiomen, as well as tributaries Macoby Run and the Hosensack Creek. In all, 14 locations were sampled. Data showed low impact from road salt.
Additional rounds of sampling were performed after major winter storms showing moderate impacts.
On October 3rd, a new round of sampling was performed after a week of no rain to obtain a ‘baseline’ normal flow set of sample data. PVTU plans to continue to support the Stroud Road Salt sampling initiative this winter.
