The MPCA and our partners have created a wide range of educational displays, programs, and materials about chloride pollution and actions to take to reduce it. We encourage our partners to utilize these resources for engaging with their community.
Articles and press releases
Our chloride pollution articles and press releases focus on actions that the public can take in the winter months to reduce it’s impact on our infrastructure and environment. These resources can be used in newsletters, and press releases can be used in local papers.
Water softening
Winter salting
- Snow removal: Do it better, cheaper and pollution-free!
- Help save Minnesota waters, your pets, and your wallet from too much salt this winter
- Winter is finally here. Apply de-icing salt correctly to protect our lakes and streams
- In de-icing season, a “less is more” approach best protects lakes and streams
MPCA Educational displays & kits
Our chloride pollution displays and educational kits are available for borrowing and sharing by contacting the Chloride Reduction Program at SmartSalting.pca@state.mn.us.
Salt Dilemma display
- educational display about the impacts of de-icer salt on the environment
- tips for how to reduce salt use safely
- portable but larger display, requires truck for transport
- should be in use for at least a few months
- optional kids table available
This display is great for city halls or environmental centers.
Water softening banners
- A set of small, retractable banners
- information about water hardness and how water softening activities contribute to water quality
Salty Lesson plan and kit
- interactive educational kit designed for children grades 4-8
- includes a detailed lesson plan
- designed for school events or classrooms
- includes supplies for 4 groups to use a conductivity probe to measure the changes as salt is added to clean water
- options to expand the activity are included in the lesson plan
We can also share the lesson plan and supply list so that communities can create their own kit to share with local schools.
Enviroscape with chloride lesson plan and kit
- educational tool for children that uses EnviroScape model
- learn how we use chloride and how chloride moves through our watersheds
There are two versions of the lesson for you to use:
- a 30-minute lesson plan for groups
- a much shorter version that can be used for tabling events
Both versions aim to achieve the same goals and objectives.
Educational programs
New! Low Salt, No Salt Minnesota program
The Hennepin County Chloride Initiative (HCCI), a collaboration of water resource professionals, led the development of and provided expertise for the new Low Salt, No Salt Minnesota program. The program includes a toolbox intended for local government unit (LGU) staff to use to reduce chloride use in their communities. Materials include a presentation, videos, recruitment templates, conversation starters and handouts. This can be used for a variety of audiences; however the targeted audience is property managers, homeowners/townhome associations and faith-based communities. Please utilize these materials to teach about steps to reduce chloride use without a reduction in safety!
Minneapolis Salt mini-course
GreenCorps members with the City of Minneapolis created an online salt mini-course program to teach residents the environmental impacts and best practices for using de-icing salt for winter roads and sidewalks.
MPCA Smart Salting program
The MPCA Smart Salting training program offers opportunies to a wide range of audiences to learn more about chloride and actions that are focused on balancing public needs and reducing chloride pollution. The Smart Salting for Community Leaders workshop and handbook, created by MPCA GreenCorps members, is a great opportunity to educate yourself and others about the environmental impacts of chloride, all the sources in Minnesota and actions to reduce its use in our communities.
Videos
- Hold the salt to protect Minnesota water (Washington County) — This short, fun video explains the problem with salt in an easy-to-understand cartoon graphics and offers suggestions on what you can do to help protect our Minnesota water.
- More isn't always better (City of Edina) — Sometimes more isn't better. this PSA on salt use reminds Edina residents and businesses to limit the amount of salt used to melt ice in the winter.
- Chloride and our water: Monitoring the mix — Shows MPCA staff monitoring for chloride and discussing the issues with chloride contamination
- Improved winter maintenance: Good choices for clean water (Mississippi Watershed Management Organization) — Comprehensive overview of the issues with chloride pollution and how to avoid it
- The changing Earth: Chlorides in water (University of Minnesota, Water Resources Center) — A look at the U of MN research into chloride in Minnesota water, with specific information about the role of water softening.
- Watershed by The Hypoxic Punks (Mississippi Watershed Management Organization) — A music video designed to educate viewers on chloride pollution
- Safe sidewalks for pets (Wisconsin Salt Wise) — About the dangers that sidewalk salt poses to pets
Check out the MPCA YouTube channel for all MPCA videos about chloride.
Posters, postcards, and other printables
- Brochure: Winter Salt Management (City of Rochester)
- Brochure: Fight snow and ice, pollution free (Mississippi Watershed Management Organization)
- Brochure: How to hire a contractor that uses less salt (9 Mile Creek Watershed District)
- Brochure: Choosing a deicer (9 Mile Creek Watershed District)
- Brochure: Don't pass the salt (City of Farmington)
- Brochure: Be salt wise (WI Salt Wise)
- Poster: Pledge to be salt smart (Clean Water MN)
- Tip card: Use salt wisely (Clean Water MN)
News stories and press releases
- Bluegills and salty waters (Prairie Sportsman, PBS)
- We’re pouring millions of tons of salt on roads each winter. Here’s why that’s a problem. (Ensia magazine)
- Road salt is polluting our water. Here's how we can fix it (MPR)
- Road and sidewalk salt worries (TPT Almanac) — MPCA staffer Brooke Asleson highlights problems with salt getting in Minnesota waterways.
Other resources
- Wisconsin Salt Wise outreach tools (WI Salt Wise)
- Chloride in communities and watersheds (U of MN Water Resources Center)
- Chloride Reduction program (Metropolitan Sewerage District, Madison, WI)
- Road salt: Can we have safe roads and healthy streams? (Lake Superior Streams)
Take action
Attend a Smart Salting workshop
Not sure where to start? Attend a Smart Salting for Community Leaders workshop to learn about the impacts of chloride on infrastructure and water resources. Discover specific action steps and policy changes that can help your community or organization reduce salt pollution. Visit the Smart Salting training calendar to register for this free workshop.
Don’t see an upcoming workshop on the calendar? Contact us at SmartSalting.pca@state.mn.us and partner with us to host one in your community.
Track salt pollution in your area
The Izaak Walton League of America offers its Winter Salt Watch program to Minnesota residents. Communities can partner with the organization to bring the program to your area. Participants can request a free kit that helps them find out whether salt pollution is a problem in local streams, lakes, and wetlands. See how Minnesota organizations are utilizing this program:
Complete the City of Minneapolis Salt Mini-Course
Discover how salt impacts the environment. Learn best practices for snow and ice removal. Take the pledge to reduce your salt use. The online salt mini-course only takes about 30 minutes to complete and is open to non-residents.
Smart Salting certification
Hire certified smart salters for managing paved surfaces in your community or get your staff trained and certified! Our Smart Salting training helps organizations that apply road salt improve operator effectiveness and reduce chloride pollution, while keeping roads, parking lots, and sidewalks safe. Participating organizations have been able to reduce their salt use by 30% to 70%, and the training has been shown to prevent chloride contamination in bodies of water.