Ohio EPA has awarded more than $1 million in H2Ohio chloride reduction grants to help 16 communities reduce the amount of road salt entering Ohio waterways while maintaining winter road safety.

The latest round of funding totals $1,078,831, with grants of up to $75,000 supporting investments in improved salt storage, brine production and application equipment, calibrated spreading systems and snowplow technology.

Several communities received the maximum $75,000 award to construct or improve salt storage facilities, including Alliance, Circleville, Coshocton, Danville, Marion Township and Monroe Township. Other projects will expand the use of liquid brine and improve application practices. Dublin, for example, received funding for a brine maker and fill station, while West Alexandria and South Russell will purchase brine production, storage and application equipment.

Tiffin Public Works received nearly $74,000 for a salt storage facility and calibrated application equipment, while Ballville Township received nearly $30,000 for live-edge and articulating plow blades.

Chloride from road salt can be carried by stormwater runoff into streams, lakes and other surface waters. The grants are intended to help communities improve winter maintenance practices and infrastructure to reduce unnecessary salt use and associated water quality impacts.

The funding is part of Ohio's H2Ohio initiative, launched in 2019 to support water quality improvements across the state.