Road salt levels in some local creeks toxic to aquatic life, says riverkeeper The amount of road salt that people, businesses, and cities are using over the winter is likely too much and is definitely hurting local waterways, according to the Ottawa Riverkeeper. Social Sharing CBC News · Posted: Mar 03, 2021 4:00 AM ET | Last Updated: March 3 A pilot program by the Ottawa Riverkeeper last winter found some instances where the amount of chloride in Ottawa-Gatineau waterways was five times what's considered acutely toxic to aquatic species.(Rhianna Schmunk/CBC)