How much sidewalk salt is too much at bus stops and transit stations in Ottawa?

Residents are raising concerns about how much salt is used at transit stops in the winter. CTV's Peter Szperling reports.

It’s a high-sodium diet for some OC Transpo bus stops, and transit stations. Some residents of Ottawa have noticed large dumps of salt -- or think too much is being used.

“(It’s) really, really salty, like, everywhere,” says Carleton Student Alyson Dann. “I’ve noticed it since I got back from the winter break. More so.”

“I was getting on the bus today, there was lots of salt,” says another transit user.

William van Geest with Ecology Ottawa noticed high levels of salt at Tunney’s Pasture and Pimisi stations earlier this month.

“It was completely dry. So, I said you know, what in the world is going on here? What’s normal,” van Geest said.

He would like to see a review of salt-use practices.

“Salt is toxic. So, it pollutes our streams. Ottawa Riverkeeper has shown that — consistent levels of high toxicity throughout the year. It pollutes the soil, making it difficult for things to grow. And it’s also deleterious for the infrastructure. It makes it break down,” van Geest added.

“It needs to be reduced. There are good ways to reduce it. This is a manageable problem. It’s even, again, in their own interest because it’s their own infrastructure that’s also suffering from the salt application practices.”

In a statement to CTV News Ottawa Friday, OC Transpo spokesperson Katrina Camposarcone-Stubbs said the amount of road salt applied varies depending on both the current and upcoming weather forecast.

“OC Transpo works collaboratively with city partners, such as Public Works and external vendors to undertake snow and ice management across the transit network, including the application of salt. Minimizing the risk of trips, slips, and falls on our transit system is a key consideration that guides OC Transpo’s winter maintenance program,” she said.

“Any feedback received regarding excess salt usage is shared with the appropriate maintainer to action and prevent reoccurrence.”

On Jan. 14, CTV News Ottawa reported on pictures posted to the social media platform Bluesky, which showed some shelters blanketed with salt.

Camposarcone-Stubbs then said this was not in line with its salting procedures.

“OC Transpo is responsible for the salting of bus loops at stations, bus stations, park and rides and bus shelters,” she said in the statement. “We acknowledge that this instance does not align with our operating procedures. We will review with staff to prevent reoccurrence.”

Meanwhile, some transit users feel the amount of salt used is necessary.

“I think it’s necessary because, so people don’t slip and fall,” says a rider at St. Laurent Transit Station.

With files from the CTV News Ottawa’s Ted Raymond