Salt Smart
For over 50 years, Minnesota's de-icing salt has made roads, sidewalks, parking lots and other paved surfaces less slippery. Unfortunately, de-icing salt does not break down in the environment, does not flush away easily, and is nearly impossible to remove. Most de-icing salt stays in waterways near its application. This has resulted in more than 4,000 waterways listed as impaired for aquatic life due to high concentrations of chloride according to the MPCA.
As de-icing practices increase with new development, Twin Cities' waterways are increasingly at risk for chloride impairment. High levels of chloride harm native vegetation and wildlife, and can impair ecological services such as lake turn over in Spring and Autumn. More on lake turn over here.
Minnesota PCA's Smart Salter certification program trains salt applicators and property managers about alternative ways to keep people safe while reducing or eliminating the use of de-icing salt. Minnesota PCA has a draft state-wide Chloride Management Plan and resource list to address this challenge for our surface and ground waters.
More Resources
WMWA Deicer Flyer
Commercial Property Guidebook
The Real Cost of Salt Use
Smart Salting for Parking Lotsand Sidewalks
For over 50 years, Minnesota's de-icing salt has made roads, sidewalks, parking lots and other paved surfaces less slippery. Unfortunately, de-icing salt does not break down in the environment, does not flush away easily, and is nearly impossible to remove. Most de-icing salt stays in waterways near its application. This has resulted in more than 4,000 waterways listed as impaired for aquatic life due to high concentrations of chloride according to the MPCA.
As de-icing practices increase with new development, Twin Cities' waterways are increasingly at risk for chloride impairment. High levels of chloride harm native vegetation and wildlife, and can impair ecological services such as lake turn over in Spring and Autumn. More on lake turn over here.
Minnesota PCA's Smart Salter certification program trains salt applicators and property managers about alternative ways to keep people safe while reducing or eliminating the use of de-icing salt. Minnesota PCA has a draft state-wide Chloride Management Plan and resource list to address this challenge for our surface and ground waters.
More Resources
WMWA Deicer Flyer
Commercial Property Guidebook
The Real Cost of Salt Use
Smart Salting for Parking Lotsand Sidewalks
Water Softeners also add salt to our water
All that salt goes into our lakes and streams because wastewater treatment plants cannot remove salt from water.
First, determine if you really need a water softener. Several cities in Hennepin County pre-soften water. For a list of cities and more information check out our, water softener flyer..
Make sure you're using the right amount of salt to soften your water.
All that salt goes into our lakes and streams because wastewater treatment plants cannot remove salt from water.
First, determine if you really need a water softener. Several cities in Hennepin County pre-soften water. For a list of cities and more information check out our, water softener flyer..
Make sure you're using the right amount of salt to soften your water.
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