Funding from H20hio Rivers Chloride Reduction Grant Program
Ballville Township was recently awarded $31,475.00 in the second round of grant funding by Ohio EPA’s new H2Ohio Rivers Chloride Reduction Grant Program. This funding will be used for 550-gallon tank with pump for brine storage, brine spray system for a pickup truck, and a 135-gallon brine tank mounted to our salt truck and salt spreader. In August, Ballville Township purchased a used 20202 freightliner plow truck with brine tank sprayer to replace the 1996 plow truck.
This is part of the $2.7 million in grants for 52 Ohio communities announced on August 1, 2024, by Governor Mike DeWine to upgrade equipment and salt storage facilities. The H2Ohio Rivers Program is an expansion of Governor DeWine’s H2Ohio initiative. Part of the program is to reduce excessive road salt usage and encourage communities and jurisdictions responsible for winter road and surface maintenance to adopt salt best management practices. Applicants for these grants were able to apply for funding for either new salt equipment or storage facility construction to help alleviate costs to local governments across Ohio.
In May 2024, Ohio EPA announced 31 communities received $1.6 million in funding during the first round, which had over 260 applicants.
Recent water quality testing has shown that Ohio’s waterways are seeing an increase in salt concentrations, primarily due to the use of road salt. Salt can also cause nutrients and metals to detach from sediment, decreasing water quality. There are many drinking water facilities across the state that utilize river water for their source of drinking water. Water that is contaminated with road salt requires additional treatment. Additionally, road salt can cause issues with corrosion in pipes, valves, and other drinking water equipment. Road salt also corrodes infrastructure like bridges and shortens the life of paved surfaces.
Ohio EPA is excited about Ballville Township’s commitment to reducing salt in their community and protecting Ohio’s waterways.
