As winter arrives in Minnesota, so does the chore of clearing pavement — sometimes with salt. But before you reach for that bag and begin to scatter, consider using other tools to the get the job done that are less toxic to our waterways and our beloved pets, and will save you money.
We scatter approximately 404,000 tons of chloride-containing salt on our paved surfaces across Minnesota each year. Not only does salt damage our infrastructure and plants, but it is harmful to our waters. When the snow melts or it rains, salt runs into storm drains and into nearby lakes, rivers, and groundwater. Salt is commonly over-applied, sending too much chloride into our waterways and wreaking havoc for fish and other wildlife. In fact, some waterways have so much chloride, they have been added to the state’s impaired waters list.
It only takes one teaspoon of salt to permanently pollute five gallons of water. That’s right: once the chloride is in our water, it’s there for good, and continues to build up year after year. Chloride from de-icing salt is one of the largest contributors to a growing salty water problem in Minnesota and continues to accumulate over time with no practical mechanism for removal in the environment.
Using less salt can also help protect our pets. Pets may consume deicing materials by eating them directly, licking their paws, or by drinking snowmelt and runoff, which can be toxic to them. Exposure to deicing salt can cause pets to experience painful irritation, inflammation, and cracking of their feet pads. Unfortunately, there are no standards for deicer packaging, so any companies could label their salt “pet friendly” without having to prove that it is. It is best to keep deicers away from pets.
Though no environmentally safe alternatives to de-icing salt are yet available, smart salting strategies that don't compromise on safety can help reduce chloride pollution in Minnesota waters, keep our pets safe and save us money:
- Shovel and scrape. The more snow and ice you remove manually, the less salt is needed to be effective. Plus, these tools can be used repeatedly year after year. Watch this video about tools, techniques, and products that you can use to keep your driveways and sidewalks safe while protecting our waters. And make sure to take breaks and don’t overexert yourself.
- Know what you’re buying. There are no labeling requirements for deicer packaging. Beware of labeling claims such as ‘environmentally or pet friendly’ as no testing of deicers has been done to prove they are safe or will work in all conditions. It is the buyer's responsibility to fully research products and make decisions accordingly, so don’t waste your money on something that won’t work.
- 15°F and below is too cold for salt. Most salts stop working at this temperature. Use sand instead for traction but remember that sand does not melt ice.
- Use the right amount. That crunch from sidewalk salt under your feet does not signify safety. People often think using more salt means more melting and safer conditions, but this is not true. Around 12 ounces — roughly a coffee mug full — effectively treats a 20-foot driveway or 10 sidewalk squares (about 1,000 square feet). Aim to apply salt evenly and use only in critical areas. Using more than the recommended is simply a waste, costing you money.
- Sweep up visible salt on dry surfaces. Leftover salt is no longer doing any work and will just be washed away into local waters. You can keep it to reuse later, saving you money. Next time, try cutting back on the amount you use. When the correct of salt amount is used, there should not be any visible salt left behind.
- Wear proper footwear. Wear shoes or boots with good traction and pay attention to where you are walking, avoiding icy spots, if possible. Take it slow and give yourself extra time to get where you’re going.
There are many ways to provide safe winter conditions and minimize impacts to the environment. The MPCA offers Smart Salting trainings for winter maintenance professionals, property managers, and others on how to provide safe surfaces in winter and minimize harmful environmental impacts. Those who hire professionals to manage snow and ice in winter should hire a trained and certified Smart Salting contractor. The MPCA list of certified Smart Salters can be found on the MPCA’s Smart Salting training webpage.
Want to learn more and get involved? Participate in Winter Salt Week Jan. 27-31, 2025, which is a week of programs raising awareness of the problem of salt pollution and reduction solutions. The MPCA has created a new online workshop for community leaders to learn how they can help that is offered during Winter Salt Week.
To stay current on chloride updates in the state, subscribe to our newsletter or visit our chloride webpage.