ST. PAUL, Minn. – Now that we’re in the “salt season,” the state Pollution Control Agency is asking everyone to do their part and help protect Minnesota’s freshwater resources.
The MPCA says salt is commonly over-applied, sending too much chloride into our lakes and streams. Chloride is toxic to fish and other aquatic wildlife. Officials estimate we scatter 445,000 tons of salt across Minnesota each year, and once it is in a water ecosystem it stays there forever.
Some tips for using less salt include shoveling and scraping more, sweeping up salt on dry surfaces, and don’t salt when it is 15 degrees or colder because most salts stop working at those temperatures.
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