Soon, your tap water might have a subtle salty taste, particularly in Maryland's suburbs. This is due to the salt used to clear roads and sidewalks during the recent snowstorm. While WSSC Water assures that the water is safe to drink, they acknowledge that the salt will eventually make its way back into your home. According to spokesperson Lyn Riggins, the salt will wash into waterways and eventually find its way into your tap water. However, most people won't notice the change in taste. But there's a long-term problem brewing. Testing shows that salt levels in the Potomac River, the region's main water source, have been steadily increasing over the past 30 years. This is a cause for concern, as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends that sodium in drinking water should not exceed 20 milligrams per liter. WSSC Water's testing has shown sodium levels exceeding this limit. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that people are using too much salt on their driveways and sidewalks, and most of it gets wasted. A report by the University of Toledo shows that salt use has tripled in the past 45 years, and higher concentrations are showing up in streams, rivers, lakes, and other sources of fresh water. Unless the water and sewer utility invests in additional filtration equipment, there's no practical way to get rid of the salt. So, while the water is safe to drink, it's important to be mindful of the impact of our actions on the environment. And this is the part most people miss...
