Reducing Salt Pollution

Road Salt on Icy Path

It takes only 1 teaspoon of road salt to permanently pollute 5 gallons of water.

What makes salt so harmful?

The main ingredient used in road salt -- chloride -- is a pollutant. When salt enters water, it changes salinity levels, making it more difficult for plants and animals to survive and reproduce.

When salt enters soil, the soil can lose its ability to hold water and store nutrients, which creates an unhealthy environment for plants and trees and makes it difficult to garden and landscape.

Road salt can also be irritating to pets' paws, and is proven to shorten the lifespan of driveways, roads and sidewalks when used frequently.

How to Reduce Salt Use

Shovel as soon as possible and use an ice chipper to break up ice
Use salt sparingly and spread each grain approximately 3 inches apart; 1 cup of salt melts 150 square feet
Use sand instead of salt when temperatures are below 15 F; salt is not effective in cold temperatures
Sweep, collect or pick up extra salt to prevent runoff, then reuse during the next snowfall
Store salt indoors and keep it covered
Route downspouts to avoid sending water to a surface where it can refreeze and become a hazard
Avoid planting trees where they could block the sun from reaching driveways and walkways
When designing a property, position common areas in places where the sun shines to melt ice naturally
Contact the City to request a salt audit on your property

Misconceptions about Salt Use

“Salt will increase traction.”

Sand — not salt — should be used if traction is the goal. Over-application of salt leads to tracking, which can deteriorate building thresholds, tile, concrete and asphalt.

“More salt helps ice melt faster."

The main purpose of salt is to chemically melt ice and prevent it from bonding to driveways, roads, parking lots and sidewalks. Too much salt was applied if ice is gone and salt remains.

“If I can’t see salt, the road hasn’t been treated yet."

The City of Eden Prairie applies brine, a salt-water mix, to roads before winter storms. This prevents ice from bonding to the roads and it requires less salt use overall.

Other Resources

Salt Reduction for Businesses and Parking Lots

Consider these options if you manage snow removal for a large facility.

If you are responsible for sidewalk or parking lot maintenance at a business, take the MPCA’s “Smart Salting” training.

If you are part of a faith-based community or homeowner’s association in charge of its own winter maintenance, contact Water Resources Coordinator Lori Haak to learn more about Hennepin County's "Low Salt No Salt Minnesota" program.