Best Practice Action 17.6
GreenStep City Best Practices: Environmental Management
Stormwater Management No. 17
Minimize the volume of and pollutants in rainwater runoff by maximizing green infrastructure.
Best Practice Action Detail
Best Practice Action 6
Improve smart-salting by reducing chloride use in winter maintenance and dust suppressants to prevent permanent surfacewater and groundwater pollution.
Chloride information:
- Once road and de-icing salts wash into surface and groundwater, there is no feasible way to remove the chloride, which means that chloride will continue to accumulate in the environment over time. More than 1 teaspoon of chloride per 5 gallons of water is toxic to fish, aquatic bugs and amphibians. When the road density in a watershed exceeds 18%, water quality problems are likely. In Minnesota there are over 40 surface waters that exceed the water quality standard for chloride and another 50 that are approaching the standard. 75% of Minnesotans rely on groundwater for drinking water. High amounts of salt in groundwater cause drinking water to taste salty, which could restrict its use for drinking, because the cost to remove salt from drinking water using reverse osmosis is expensive. Currently 30% of Twin Cities' drinking water wells have high levels of chloride. Chloride also corrodes road surfaces and bridges and damages reinforcing rods, increasing maintenance and repair costs. Deicing salt accelerates rusting, causing damage to vehicle parts such as brake linings, frames and bumpers.
- Report chloride water quality monitoring under BPA 19.1.
- Find additional information related to chloride management at water and wastewater facilities under BPA 20.4.
Smart Salting Training and Certification:
- Partnering with others, the MPCA has created and offers a Smart Salting certification program, which has a section on gravel road maintenance and use of dust suppressants, and a web-based winter maintenance assessment tool to help winter maintenance organizations assess operations, identify opportunities to reduce salt use using proven BMPs, and to track progress, which always includes cost savings. The goal is to maintain performance while reducing salt use and saving cities money.
- The City of Minneapolis offers a free online Salt Mini-Course for residents to learn how de-icing salt impacts the environment and the best practices to reduce use.
Management:
- The city of Edina developed a model contract for snow and ice management that embraces best practices to minimize environmental impacts from salt and other chemicals. Property owners can adapt the model contract to suit their needs and to ensure their contractors are protecting Minnesota waters from chloride pollution.
- See model snow and ice management policies - for city-hired snow and ice management services, that mandate best practices to minimize environmental impacts from sand, chlorides and other chemicals - and for private snow/ice service contractors signing agreements with customers - developed in 2016 by snow and ice management professionals from cities and counties in diverse areas of Minnesota, watershed districts, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association, and other stakeholders. These policies balance public interests including public safety, equipment and material cost, and environmental impact. See also a shorter model Snowplowing Policy from the League of MN Cities.
- The MPCA partnered with the Nine Mile Creek Watershed District, TetraTech, several local cities and watershed organizations to develop a suite of model ordinances that communities can choose to implement. There are several options to consider which are intended to assist with reducing salt pollution.
Implementation:
- See examples of chloride reduction techniques from the MS4 permit cities of Edina, Bloomington, Plymouth, and Waconia (MPCA, 2020).
- The Low Salt. No Salt. Minnesota program was developed by the Hennepin County Chloride Initiative in 2022 to develop a toolbox for LGUs to use in conversations with local residents, businesses, and property managers about best practices related to winter maintenance.
- Pervious concrete use in roadways both reduces stormwater infrastructure and salt use, with Shorewood as a national exemplar.
- The biggest salt-reduction action, which is also the most effective way to prevent/melt ice and snow, is to apply liquid pre-wetting and anti-icing solutions to roads. These brines spread more evenly, stay put and begin working immediately because the salt/other components are already in solution. In Minnesota, cities that have switched to tanker trucks have reduced salt use by up to 70% and have paid back their equipment investment in a year or two.
Note that this salt action was previously an erosion control action (replaced because erosion control is almost always required of cities).
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Certify primary winter maintenance staff through the MPCA's Smart Salting Level 1 training (for city snowplowing, and for parking lots, service roads & sidewalks) and/or Property Management training; follow training recommendations; certify new staff and keep certifications current; actively promote a model contract that private snow/ice service contractors would sign with customers; report decreased use of CaCl dust suppressants and alternative dust measures. |
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Certify the city at Smart Salting Level 2 by using the MPCA's Smart Salting Assessment Tool to complete a best management practices assessment; redo assessment at least every 3 years; develop or adopt an existing chloride/salt management plan; modify and adopt a model contract for city-hired snow and ice management services that mandates best practices to minimize environmental impacts from sand, chlorides and other chemicals; host a free training for private property managers and contractors. |
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Adopt a Chloride Reduction ordinance; report use of pervious concrete/paving and resulting salt-use reduction; complete two of: track salt usage; report salt reduction progress in the 30% to 70% range (over one year for 30%; over more years for 70%); track implementation of best management practices using the winter maintenance tool; educate residents about the environmental impacts of salt and provide information on how to reduce their personal salt use. Report reduction in residential/commercial water softening salt use and wastewater chloride monitoring and improvements under BPA 20.4. |
Who's doing it
Bloomington -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2019
Implementation details:
Bloomington has certified primary winter maintenance staff through the MPCA's Smart Salting Level 1 training (for city snowplowing, and for parking lots, service roads & sidewalks), certifies new staff, and keeps certifications current. Bloomington uses efficient plows with brine tanks and has certified the city at Smart Salting Level 2, and has developed a chloride/salt management plan.
Bloomington currently tracks salt usage using a calibrated software on trucks, and has issued educational material to residents about the environmental impacts of salt on how to reduce their personal salt use.
Bloomington currently tracks salt usage using a calibrated software on trucks, and has issued educational material to residents about the environmental impacts of salt on how to reduce their personal salt use.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Jason Ludwigson (Contractor) | JDLudwigson@gmail.com | 5073139633
Partners:
Robbinsdale -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2020
Implementation details:
The City utilizes prewetting and calibrated equipment to reduce salt usage while maintaining safety.
Section 703.23 of the City Code, "Regulations and requirements to prevent, control, and reduce Storm Water Pollutants by the use of Best Management Practices," addresses new development and redevelopment requirements, salt storage, illicit discharges, and enforcement of salting best management practices.
Section 703.23 of the City Code, "Regulations and requirements to prevent, control, and reduce Storm Water Pollutants by the use of Best Management Practices," addresses new development and redevelopment requirements, salt storage, illicit discharges, and enforcement of salting best management practices.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/robbinsdalemn/latest/robbinsdale_mn/0-0-0-4826
For more information contact:
Kayla Kirtz (City Staff) | kkirtz@ci.robbinsdale.mn.us | 763-233-5654
Partners:
Rosemount -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The City's standards regarding erosion and sediment controls and requirements for permanent stormwater treatment are detailed in Title 10 (Water Resource Management) of the City Code.
The City has begun tracking the amount of salt used on city streets. 51 tons per event this years vs. 77 tons per event last year.
Additionally, the City has been working with a Green Corps member to educate residents regarding salt use. https://www.ci.rosemount.mn.us/718/Conserve-and-Preserve-blog---archive-1
The City has begun tracking the amount of salt used on city streets. 51 tons per event this years vs. 77 tons per event last year.
Additionally, the City has been working with a Green Corps member to educate residents regarding salt use. https://www.ci.rosemount.mn.us/718/Conserve-and-Preserve-blog---archive-1
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
The amount of salt used per event by the City's public works department was reduced from 77 tons last year to 51 tons this year. This reduction is reported to the City Council on a weekly basis during the snowy season.
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links: http://tinyurl.com/7d5c9xk
For more information contact:
Julia Hogan (City Staff) | julia.hogan@ci.rosemount.mn.us | 651-322-2052
Partners:
Willmar -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2020
Implementation details:
City of Willmar hosted Fortin Consulting Smart Salting for Roads training in 2020, which was attended by all City and Kandiyohi County snowplow operators. City is also converting from granular salt to brine application, which has reduced the amount of granular salt used by 50% in 4 years.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Average of granular salt purchased/used has decreased from 600 tons to 300 tons annually from 2017 to 2020.
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Sara Sietsema (City Staff) | ssietsema@willmarmn.gov | 320-235-4760
Partners:
Edina -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2017
Implementation details:
The City of Edina has reported a reduction in salt use by 30% since the year 2016. This reduction in salt was accomplished from improvements in many areas of City operations. Equipment has been upgraded as well, with the addition of a dedicated brining truck, and articulated plow blades that flex to better match the road surface. Practices also include pre-wetting to use the minimum amount of salt needed to keep roads safe. Also, Edina is a participant in the Low Salt No Salt Program and received an award in 2019 from the Salt Symposium.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
30% reduction in salt use since 2016. Required Smart Salting training for related City staff including plow drivers and park maintenance workers.
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links: https://www.edinamn.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/793
For more information contact:
Jessica Vanderwerff Wilson (City Staff) | jwilson@edinamn.gov | 952-826-0445
Partners: Smart Salting Program (MPCA), Low Salt No Salt Program, Salt Symposium
Mounds View -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2019
Implementation details:
Mounds View Operates three plow trucks during winter storm clearing operations. All three are equipped with 110 gallon brine tanks with one truck replaced in 2019 having a more efficient applicator along with a front, belly, and wing plow that removes more snow than trucks without the wing (front and belly only) further reducing the amount of salt/brine needed. In 2021 we will be replacing a second truck. The last truck is several more years out.
We also send our PW Director, Supervisor and any additional staff available to annual conference/seminar in managing/reducing salt during winter street clearing plow operations.
We also send our PW Director, Supervisor and any additional staff available to annual conference/seminar in managing/reducing salt during winter street clearing plow operations.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Reduction in chloride/salt onto roadways and eventually into storm/ground water
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Nyle Zikmund (City Staff) | nyle.zikmund@moundsviewmn.org | 612-860-7442
Partners:
Plymouth -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2017
Implementation details:
The City is a Level 2 Smart Salting Certified City through the MPCA.
All employees who operate snow removal equipment are Level 1 Smart Salt Certified through the MPCA
All employees who operate snow removal equipment are Level 1 Smart Salt Certified through the MPCA
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
amount of money/salt saved annually and improved water quality for chloride contamination.
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Ben Scharenbroich (City Staff) | bscharenbroich@plymouthmn.gov | 763-509-5527
Partners:
Sartell -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
The Public Works department has taken steps to reduce salt usage. During the past two years the City has not ordered any extra salt and salt left over from previous years has become more common.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Minimize the amount of pollution entering our waters.
Descriptive File: view file
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Nate Keller (City staff) | nate.keller@sartellmn.com | 320-258-7316
Partners:
Albert Lea -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2018
Implementation details:
Shell Rock River Watershed District hosted a Smart Salting road training workshop in Spring 2018. Another workshop focused on parking lots and sidewalks is being planned for Spring 2019.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Jerry Gabrielatos (City staff) | jgabrielatos@ci.albertlea.mn.us | 507-377-4316
Partners: Shell Rock River Watershed District and Fortin Consulting
Coon Rapids -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2020
Implementation details:
Several of the City's Street staff are trained in the MPCA smart salt classes. The Street Divison purchased new Joma plow blades that offer opportunities to reduce salt application. The City pre-wets salt to hold it on the street better.
The City's Parks Dept. has reduced the use of de-icer by 30% by purchasing better, more efficient equipment to distribute deicer's. A program has been set up to check all machinery calibrations before and during the season.
The City's Parks Dept. has reduced the use of de-icer by 30% by purchasing better, more efficient equipment to distribute deicer's. A program has been set up to check all machinery calibrations before and during the season.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Olivia Dorow Hovland (City Staff) | odorowhovland@coonrapidsmn.gov | 763-767-6458
Partners:
Duluth -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2010
Implementation details:
The City of Duluth faces many unique challenges when it comes to wintertime salt use. Frequent flushing of the surface water systems by snowmelt and rain events prevents chloride from building up to levels that impact aquatic flora and fauna, and concentrations in Lake Superior remain low regardless of how much is flushed simply because of the sheer volume of water the lake contains. This makes it hard to convince people that chloride use is a problem. However, test wells behind the mall near Miller Creek showed levels at 500mg/l providing a rare glimpse into just how much salt is being washed into the waterways.
Despite the challenges, Duluth is working to reduce chloride use. Pre-wet granular is used at all times to increase the effectiveness of the salt and reduce waste from bounce and scatter. Various combinations of salt and sand are used depending on temperature (current and predicted) and precipitation (type and volume). When it is too cold for salt to function plain sand is used. Plow truck guidelines require that salt be dispensed at 25mph or less to reduce bounce and scatter. The city does have one experimental liquid de-icing tank, however it requires a plow to be driven in front and is not frequently used.
Duluth's hills also present a challenge. 16% of roads have a grade of 6% or steeper, and safety concerns frequently lead to them being over salted. Fortunately the hill is South facing allowing the suns heat to activate salt at colder air temperatures. Emergency services from the growing Medical District rely on many of the steepest roads for transportation so keeping them clear is a high priority. Little research has been done on snow and ice control on such steep hills so there is little solid evidence to guide control plans. Consequently, most chloride reduction efforts are focused on the remaining 84% of roads that are not as steep.
Representatives attend the Annual Road Salt Symposium to learn about new technologies and techniques that may help reduce or more effectively apply material to the road surface.
Despite the challenges, Duluth is working to reduce chloride use. Pre-wet granular is used at all times to increase the effectiveness of the salt and reduce waste from bounce and scatter. Various combinations of salt and sand are used depending on temperature (current and predicted) and precipitation (type and volume). When it is too cold for salt to function plain sand is used. Plow truck guidelines require that salt be dispensed at 25mph or less to reduce bounce and scatter. The city does have one experimental liquid de-icing tank, however it requires a plow to be driven in front and is not frequently used.
Duluth's hills also present a challenge. 16% of roads have a grade of 6% or steeper, and safety concerns frequently lead to them being over salted. Fortunately the hill is South facing allowing the suns heat to activate salt at colder air temperatures. Emergency services from the growing Medical District rely on many of the steepest roads for transportation so keeping them clear is a high priority. Little research has been done on snow and ice control on such steep hills so there is little solid evidence to guide control plans. Consequently, most chloride reduction efforts are focused on the remaining 84% of roads that are not as steep.
Representatives attend the Annual Road Salt Symposium to learn about new technologies and techniques that may help reduce or more effectively apply material to the road surface.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Geoff Vukelich (City Staff) | gvukelich@duluthmn.gov | 2187304460
Partners:
Eagan -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed:
Implementation details:
Included as part of City's Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program (SWPPP) in response to Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit. City Ordinances 4.32 and 4.33.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
City Ordinances 4.32 and 4.33.
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Jared Flewellen (City Staff) | jflewellen@cityofeagan.com | (651) 675-5505
Partners:
La Crescent -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2022
Implementation details:
All public works staff have completed Smart Salt training.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links: https://www.cityoflacrescent-mn.gov/wp-content/uploads/Event-Flyer-Smart-Salt-Training-Feb.-17th-2022.pdf
For more information contact:
Jason Ludwigson (Contractor) | JDLudwigson@gmail.com | 5073139633
Partners:
Lexington -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2022
Implementation details:
The city built a new salt shed for storage, it includes a paved floor as well as concrete walls and covered top that prevents salt from leaching into the groundwater and waste from rain/snow melt. This allows the city to purchase less salt per year , as well as better distribution as the salt is not clumping up from becoming wet.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Brenda Beaudet (City Staff) | brenda.beaudet@cityoflexingtonmn.org | 763-784-2792
Partners:
Savage -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2019
Implementation details:
In 2019 the City purchased a new piece of equipment that is estimated to reduce salt use by 30 percent per lane mile. The new piece of equipment is a precision applicator that can better target the areas where being applied.
In 2021, the City served as a distribution point for resident Smart Salting Kits for the Scott County Soli and Water Conservation District.
In 2021, the City served as a distribution point for resident Smart Salting Kits for the Scott County Soli and Water Conservation District.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
The City anticipates that the use of this new equipment will reduce its salt usage by 30% per lane mile used. Preliminary results show the new piece of equipment is resulting in an overall reduction in salt being applied.
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Jesse Carlson (City Staff) | jcarlson@cityofsavage.com | 9528822686
Partners: Funding assistance from the BWSR clean water fund, watershed-based implementation funding program.
Vadnais Heights -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2023
Implementation details:
The City and the Vadnais Lake Area Watershed Management Organization (VLAWMO) hosted a smart salting workshop in January of 2023. All primary winter maintenance staff are certified Smart Salters Level 1; some staff are certified on roads while others are certified on parking lots & sidewalks.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Reduced use of salt as part of City operations.
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links: https://www.pca.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/p-tr1-01.xlsx
For more information contact:
Ken LaCasse (City Staff) | ken.lacasse@cityvadnaisheights.com | (651) 204 6053
Partners: Vadnais Lake Area Watershed Management Organization (VLAWMO)
Eden Prairie -
Date action report first entered:
Date of last report update:
Year action initially completed: 2024
Implementation details:
All winter maintenance personnel are Smart Salting certified. All City staff educated in chloride reduction strategies. City is a Low Salt Design Pilot City, so City staff are trained in design strategies for source reduction of chlorides. Municipal water supply softened with lime at plant, so water softeners not necessary.
Outcome measures/metrics/money saved:
Descriptive File:
Descriptive links:
For more information contact:
Lori Haak (City Staff) | lhaak@edenprairie.org | 9529498327
Partners: