Don't Let Salt Snowball Into a Big Problem

Rhea-AI Summary

New Jersey American Water (NYSE:AWK) and The Watershed Institute urged residents, businesses and municipalities on Jan. 15, 2026 to limit winter road salt to protect drinking water, aquatic ecosystems and infrastructure. The release notes that excess sodium and chloride can cause a temporary salty taste in tap water for some customers and that high chloride can persist year-round, worsening in drought and harming aquatic life. It highlights Winter Salt Week, Jan. 26–30, 2026, and offers practical steps: shovel first; use about 1 lb (12-oz mug) for a 20-foot driveway; space granules 3 inches apart; sweep up excess; switch to brine (30–50% less salt); and reevaluate contracts. Resources: NJ Salt Watch and daily Winter Salt Week webinars.

Key Figures

Winter Salt Week 2026 dates: Jan. 26–30 Salt amount guide: 12-ounce mug ≈ 1 pound Driveway length: 20-foot driveway +2 more

5 metrics

Winter Salt Week 2026 dates Jan. 26–30 National Winter Salt Week 2026 campaign period

Salt amount guide 12-ounce mug ≈ 1 pound Suggested amount of salt for application

Driveway length 20-foot driveway Area covered by 1 pound of salt per guidance

Granule spacing 3 inches Recommended spacing between salt granules

Brine reduction range 30–50% Potential salt reduction using liquid brine vs crystals

Market Reality Check

Price: $133.34 Vol: Volume 1,636,313 is sligh...

normal vol

$133.34 Last Close

Volume Volume 1,636,313 is slightly above 20-day average of 1,408,615 before this release. normal

Technical Shares at 133.35, trading below the 200-day MA of 138.88 ahead of the news.

Peers on Argus

AWK was up 0.68% with modestly positive moves in key utilities peers (e.g., WTRG...

AWK was up 0.68% with modestly positive moves in key utilities peers (e.g., WTRG, AEE, ATO, DTE, FE all showing small gains), but no momentum-cluster signal, indicating this community-focused salt-use message was more company-specific than part of a strong sector rotation.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Jan 12 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Jan 12	Customer savings tips	Positive	+1.8%	Highlighted $70M 2025 investments and customer savings tools in Kentucky.
Jan 07	Infrastructure investment	Positive	-1.3%	Outlined over $450M 2025 Missouri system upgrades and conservation tools.
Dec 19	ESG recognition	Positive	-2.1%	Named to Newsweek’s 2026 responsible companies list as top water utility.
Dec 18	Acquisition	Positive	-0.7%	Agreed $6.4M Hopewell Borough system purchase with planned $7M upgrades.
Dec 17	Rate approval	Positive	-0.7%	Ky PSC approved new rates adding about $18.2M annualized revenue.

Pattern Detected

Recent positive operational and ESG-style news often saw mixed to negative next-day price reactions, with only one out of five events aligning positively with sentiment.

Recent Company History

Over the past month, American Water issued several positive operational and ESG-related updates. On Dec 17, 2025, Kentucky American Water secured new rates yielding an $18.2 million annualized revenue increase tied to $212 million in improvements, yet the stock fell 0.74%. A $6.4 million Hopewell Borough system acquisition with planned $7 million in upgrades on Dec 18 also saw a modest decline. Recognition on Newsweek’s 2026 responsibility list and large 2025 investment programs in Missouri and Kentucky produced mixed reactions. The current Winter Salt Week message fits this pattern of sustainability and public-education outreach.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights New Jersey American Water’s role in promoting responsible winter salt u...

Analysis

This announcement highlights New Jersey American Water’s role in promoting responsible winter salt use to protect water quality and ecosystems. It reinforces the company’s broader ESG positioning seen in recent recognition and infrastructure investments. The focus on Winter Salt Week 2026 and practical consumer guidance supports long-term source-water protection. Investors may watch how such initiatives intersect with regulatory discussions, customer engagement, and future disclosures on water quality and environmental performance, alongside ongoing merger and rate-case developments.

Key Terms

harmful algal blooms

1 terms

harmful algal blooms medical

"salt run-off can harm fish and other aquatic life and even encourage the growth of harmful algal blooms"

Harmful algal blooms are rapid overgrowths of microscopic algae or cyanobacteria in lakes, rivers or oceans that can produce toxins or use up oxygen, similar to a pond being overtaken by a harmful weed. They matter to investors because blooms can shut fisheries and beaches, raise water-treatment costs, force regulatory action or lawsuits, and damage tourism and coastal property values, creating direct revenue and liability risks for affected businesses.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

New Jersey American Water and The Watershed Institute Urge Responsible Winter Salt Use to Protect Waterways and Wildlife

CAMDEN, N.J., Jan. 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- With winter underway and the possibility of snowstorms, New Jersey American Water and The Watershed Institute are reminding residents, businesses and municipalities that excessive use of road salt can have serious environmental consequences. While salt helps keep roads and sidewalks safe, its runoff can harm drinking water sources, aquatic ecosystems and infrastructure long after the snow has melted. In some cases, increased sodium and chloride levels in source water can even cause a temporary salty taste in tap water, though these levels do not pose a health risk for most people.

"Salt doesn't just disappear when the ice melts. It moves into our rivers, streams and groundwater. Every winter we see rising chloride levels that can disrupt ecosystems and are extremely difficult for drinking water systems to treat. Using salt responsibly helps protect public health and our natural resources," said Shawn M. LaTourette, commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP).

"Every extra handful of salt matters. When we use more than we need, it ends up in our drinking water sources," said Shealynn O'Toole Source Water Protection program manager, New Jersey American Water. "Responsible use of winter salt keeps roads safe and protects the environment and source water."

The impact of road salt doesn't end when winter does. "High salt levels can persist and even worsen under drought conditions and have lasting effects year-round. During the summer months, salt run-off can harm fish and other aquatic life and even encourage the growth of harmful algal blooms," said Erin Stretz, assistant director of science at The Watershed Institute.

To raise awareness and encourage sustainable road salting practices, Winter Salt Week 2026 will take place Jan. 26–30. This national initiative, led by Wisconsin Salt Wise in partnership with utilities, regulators, and environmental organizations, promotes responsible salt use through education, community engagement and resources for municipalities and homeowners. The campaign emphasizes that safety and sustainability can go hand in hand — and that small changes in how we use salt can make a big difference.

As part of Winter Salt Week, experts are sharing practical steps that residents and municipalities can take immediately to reduce environmental impacts without compromising safety. These tips are simple, cost-effective and proven to help protect water quality:

• Shovel first: Clearing snow before it turns to ice reduces the need for de-icing.
• Use only what's needed: If you need to use salt, a 12-ounce coffee mug holds about one pound of salt, which is enough for a 20-foot driveway.
• Spread efficiently: Leave 3 inches of space between granules for effective coverage.
• Sweep up excess: Remove leftover salt from dry pavement to prevent runoff.
• Switch to brine: Applying a liquid brine instead of salt crystals can reduce the total amount of salt applied by 30-50%.
• Reevaluate contracts: Businesses can pay snow-removal contractors by area cleared, not salt applied.

For localized information about winter salting, visit NJ Salt Watch, a free community science program funded by NJDEP and managed by the Watershed Institute that provides residents, businesses and municipalities the opportunity to measure and share impacts of road salt on local streams and lakes. Learn more and register at njwatershedwatch.org/road-salt/. For more information about winter salt, register for daily webinars during Winter Salt Week at www.wintersaltweek.org.

About New Jersey American Water
New Jersey American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), is the largest regulated water utility in the state, providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable water and wastewater services to approximately 2.9 million people. For more information, visit www.newjerseyamwater.com and follow New Jersey American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X, and Instagram.

About The Watershed Institute
The Watershed Institute is dedicated to keeping New Jersey's water clean, safe and healthy. Founded in 1949, The Watershed Institute protects and restores water and the environment through conservation, advocacy, science and education. For more information about the Watershed, www.thewatershed.org or call (609) 737-3735.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dont-let-salt-snowball-into-a-big-problem-302662950.html

SOURCE American Water

FAQ

What did New Jersey American Water (AWK) announce about winter salt on Jan. 15, 2026?

The company urged responsible salt use to protect drinking water and ecosystems and promoted Winter Salt Week Jan. 26–30, 2026.

How can homeowners reduce salt use on driveways according to AWK guidance?

Shovel first, use about 1 lb (a 12-ounce coffee mug) for a 20-foot driveway, space granules 3 inches apart, and sweep up excess.

What effect can road salt runoff have on AWK customers' tap water?

The release says increased sodium and chloride can sometimes cause a temporary salty taste in tap water, though levels generally do not pose a health risk for most people.

What municipal or contractor changes did AWK recommend to reduce salt use?

Reevaluate contracts to pay contractors by area cleared rather than by salt applied and consider switching from crystal salt to liquid brine.

Where can residents register to track local salt impacts and access Winter Salt Week webinars?

Register for NJ Salt Watch at njwatershedwatch.org/road-salt/ and for Winter Salt Week webinars at wintersaltweek.org.