Area communities receive funds to manage road salt, reduce chloride runoff

Five area communities will share in more than $260,000 in grant money to aid their efforts to reduce chloride runoff and keep Ohio drivers and waterways safe in winter.

Announced Monday by state Sen. Theresa Gavarone (R., Bowling Green), the money is part of the second round of the H2Ohio Chloride Reduction Grant Program. The city of Sandusky will receive $75,000;  the village of Grand Rapids, $54,925; Portage Township in Wood County, $45,910; Lucas County, $44,800; and Margaretta Township in Erie County, $41,822.

The money will be used to update equipment and facilities to improve road salt management and reduce chloride runoff.

The first round of chloride-reduction grant awards were announced in May, and, due to high demand, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency added a second round. In total, the grant program has distributed more than $4 million throughout Ohio this year.