Because it’s wreaking havoc on our natural environment.
That means only 22 percent of the salt we use is actually doing what it’s applied to do.
And we can see the results of this already – the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency reports that groundwater in Minnesota’s urban areas exceeds the state standard for chloride (salt) contamination.
Additionally, they’ve found that 39 bodies of water in the Twin Cities, including Minnehaha Creek, test above the state standard for chloride.
This means that if your groundwater becomes contaminated with chloride, the water from your tap may start to taste a little salty (and removing salt from water is prohibitively costly on a large scale).
Too much salt also can impact your favorite things to do in and around water.
Luckily, this issue has been gaining a lot more attention in the past several years and many public and private organizations are educating individuals and training professionals on smart salting techniques and alternatives.
For the past 16 years a road salt symposium has been hosted each winter in the Twin Cities to share research, innovative technologies and trainings for winter maintenance professionals and concerned citizens.
Another proposed solution we are closely watching is limited liability legislation for winter maintenance contractors who are voluntarily certified in smart salting techniques.
We are energized by the progress made to decrease salt pollution in Minnesota, and are proud to be a part of the solution.