By WICOLA on Saturday, 08 December 2018
Category: News Blog

Smart Salting Tips that Protect Our Waters

As the first major snows of the season arrive, Minnesotans are thinking about clearing snow and ice from pavement — sometimes with salt. But when the snow melts, de-icing salt, which contains chloride, runs into nearby bodies of water and harms aquatic wildlife.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) recommends a low-salt diet for our lakes, streams, and rivers. Much like table salt, rock salt’s benefits are peppered with danger. Chloride accumulates in the water over time, and there’s no feasible way to treat or remove it. It only takes a teaspoon of salt to permanently pollute five gallons of water. To date, the MPCA has found Forty-seven bodies of water in Minnesota that have tested above the standard for chloride.

Though no environmentally safe, effective, and inexpensive alternatives to salt are yet available, smart salting strategies can help reduce chloride pollution in state waters, while saving money and limiting salt damage. You might think more salt means more melting and safer conditions, but it’s not true! Salt will effectively remove snow and ice if it’s scattered so that the salt grains are about three inches apart. A coffee mug full of salt (about 12 ounces) is all you need for a 20-foot driveway or 10 sidewalk squares (roughly 1,000 square feet).

Do your part by following these nine simple tips:

Learn more on the MPCA's website.

The mission of the MPCA is to protect and improve the environment and enhance human health.
www.pca.state.mn.us • Toll-free and TDD 800-657-3864