Salt (Chloride) Use

In slippery Minnesota winters, safety is certainly the top concern, but over-salting sidewalks and parking lots doesn’t provide extra safety, it damages property and pollutes water.

Salt is toxic to Minnesota aquatic life. Just one little teaspoon of salt makes five gallons of water uninhabitable for most freshwater species. Fifty lakes and streams in Minnesota already have salt (chloride) levels above state standards. As snow and ice melt, water runs into storm drains that flow into lakes, streams, and wetlands, taking the salt with it. Once the salt is dissolved in water, there is no practical way to get the salt out of the water. Learn more.

Salt Smart: A How-To Guide

• Clear snow and ice early and often using shovels or plows; only use salt if necessary.
• When applying salt, space the granules 2–3 inches apart for the best effect.
• Once pavement is clear, sweep up extra salt for reuse.
• Don't salt near storm drains and waterways to prevent pollution.
• Check the effective temperature of your deicer—salt isn't effective below 17 degrees Fahrenheit. Sand works better.
• Store salt properly by keeping it covered, on a solid surface, and away from storm drains and natural areas.
• Consider hiring a Smart Salt Certified contractor for safer and more efficient winter maintenance

Check out this salt application guide from the City of Minneapolis for more tips.