SUMMARY:
The Environment Commissions Virtual Forum meeting was held October 23 - where nearly 40 commissioners gathered to learn about salt pollution and how cities are minimizing impact. There is a growing concern of chloride pollution in Minnesota waters from winter salt products, water softening, and fertilizers. Chloride is a pollutant that doesn’t break down and is toxic to freshwater fish, insects, and amphibians. The current water quality standard in Minnesota is 230 mg/L but newer research from other states suggests harmful impacts begins closer to 120-150 mg/L.
The Forum featured presenters:
- Brooke Asleson (Chloride Reduction Program Coordinator, MPCA)
- Brooke provided an overview of Minnesota's salty problem and shared a number of resources for communities, including the Smart Salting Trainings and Certifications available to public works and facilities staff, business and property owners, community leaders, and more.
- Scott Przybilla (Technical Operator, City of Marshall)
- Scott shared how the City of Marshall implemented infrastructure upgrades like community-wide water softener improvements. With softer water, the City turned is focus on residential and industrial water softeners, using a MPCA grant program to launch rebates for anyone wanting to replace or remove their units. On the wastewater side, they focused on reducing chemicals that include chloride ingredients. Coordinated city efforts can protect water and provide safe winter conditions for residents!
- Lori Haak (Water Resources Coordinator, City of Eden Prairie)
- Lori presented examples of low-salt design projects developed with Bolton & Menk and supported by an MPCA grant. Low-salt design aims to design infrastructure smartly to reduce winter salt use in the first place and protect Minnesota’s water resources. Examples included drainage improvements on Sorrell Way, tree removal near a senior center to reduce shading and ice, and a parking lot stormwater retrofit at the police department. They are creating a checklist for low-salt design and are invested in public engagement around simple prevention measures around salt reduction practices.
And check out these upcoming events!
Low Salt Design 101 Webinar with Conservation Minnesota and Bolton & Menk
November 20, 2025 from 10-11 AM
Join this webinar to learn more about strategies to reduce salt use through site design, without compromising safety!
Registration: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DfoeEMBNQwKYXP69MM8Yhg
Community Leaders Smart Salting Workshop with the MPCA
December 3, 2025 from 11-1 PM
Invite community leaders to learn the impacts of chloride and discover resources and specific action steps to make policy changes in your communities to reduce salt pollution.
Registration: https://www.pca.state.mn.us/events-and-meetings/smart-salting-community-leaders-workshop-2025-12-03
Winter Salt Week Webinars and Live Events
January 26-30, 2026
Registration (open soon): https://wintersaltweek.org/
EVENT INFO:
Each year Conservation Minnesota and GreenStep Cities and Tribal Nations gather volunteer advisory commission and task force members from across the state to connect and learn about issues that local governments are facing and addressing head on. As we prepare for yet another harsh Minnesota winter, this year we will focus on the chloride (salt) pollution problem and what cities are doing to minimize their impact.
Register here to join environment, sustainability, natural resource, and parks and recreation commissioners from around the state on Thursday, October 23rd from 3-5pm over Zoom. Registration link - https://zoom.us/meeting/register/vDIcqV8jTbeI7T2YQL5_xw.
Presentations will include:
- Minnesota’s Chloride Pollution Problem – Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) staff members Brooke Asleson, M.S., Chloride Program Administrator, and Chandi McCracken-Holm, Smart Salting Training Administrator, will talk about the scope of the salt problem and programs they offer to help address this.
- Centralized Water Softening and Rebate Program - Scott Przybilla, Wastewater Treatment Facility Assistant Superintendent, will present on how the City of Marshall has implemented a joint centralized water softening project and rebate program for residents.
- Low Salt Design - Lori Haak, Water Resources Coordinator, will present on Eden Prairie’s Low Salt Design concept and how this has been a paradigm-shift for development review and internal operations.
We will also provide an opportunity to connect with other commissioners in small groups about what your city is doing or what you’d like your city to be doing to help minimize the negative impacts of salt on our lakes and rivers.
Many of you may know of this event as the Environment Commissions Conference. Given the evolving nature of this event, we feel that Virtual Forum more accurately describes what this is.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out, avery@conservationminnesota.org or (612) 767-1572