The Winter Threat to Minnesota’s Water: Local Watersheds Rally Against Road Salt Pollution

ST. PAUL, MINN. — As snow returns to Minnesota, a less visible but growing threat is infiltrating the state’s lakes, streams, and groundwater: road salt. Each winter, hundreds of thousands of tons of de-icing salt—primarily sodium chloride—are applied across the Twin Cities metropolitan area. A growing body of research shows that most of this salt never disappears. Instead, it accumulates in water and soil, creating a permanent pollutant that threatens ecosystems, drinking water, and infrastructure.

Now, local watershed districts are urging residents, businesses, and property managers to adopt a simple alternative: grit.

Salt’s Hidden Legacy

According to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), as much as 78 percent of the roughly 365,000 tons of road salt applied annually in the Twin Cities ends up in lakes, streams, wetlands, and groundwater. Once dissolved, chloride—the corrosive element in salt—cannot be feasibly removed. “There is no economically feasible way to remove chloride from water,” the MPCA notes.

Monitoring wells reveal the scale of the problem: 27 percent of shallow aquifers in the metro area exceed federal drinking-water guidelines for chloride, and 30 percent surpass state water-quality standards. Chloride pollution harms freshwater ecosystems, killing fish, amphibians, and aquatic insects, and disrupting biodiversity in Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes.

Salt also damages soil and vegetation. Roadside plants and trees often die when exposed to chloride-laden runoff. Soil loses its ability to retain water and nutrients, becoming more prone to erosion. Pets and wildlife are affected as well: small birds such as house sparrows and finches may die from ingesting salt, while pets can suffer paw irritations and illness from walking on salted surfaces.

Infrastructure suffers too. Salt accelerates corrosion on bridges, roads, sidewalks, and vehicles, while damaging concrete, stone, and metal. Nationwide, salt-related repairs cost more than $5 billion annually.

A “Low-Salt Diet” for Our Waters

In response, the Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District, Rice Creek Watershed District, Coon Creek Watershed District, and Vadnais Lake Area Water Management Organization launched the “Get Gritty” campaign.

The initiative encourages private property owners, businesses, and residents to switch from de-icing salt to traction grit—typically sand or fine gravel—for sidewalks, driveways, and private parking areas. Grit improves traction without dissolving into water, can be reused or swept up, and does not harm the environment.

The campaign runs from November 25 through January 16, during which participants can pick up free bags of grit at designated locations. Beyond distribution, the program promotes “smart salting” practices designed by the MPCA, which minimize salt use while maintaining safety. These methods include applying only the necessary amount of salt, shoveling snow before treatment, and sweeping up excess grit or salt.

Why It Matters

Drinking Water: Most metro-area residents rely on groundwater. Elevated chloride levels compromise the safety and taste of drinking water, with long-term implications if trends continue.

Wildlife and Ecosystems: Chloride is toxic to fish, frogs, and aquatic insects. Salt pollution destroys aquatic vegetation and can alter entire ecosystems, threatening biodiversity in lakes and streams.

Infrastructure and Vegetation: Salt corrodes bridges, roads, and sidewalks, damages vehicles, and kills roadside plants. Soil degradation from chloride-laden runoff further exacerbates erosion risks.

Advocates emphasize that small actions add up. “Every teaspoon of road salt kept out of our lakes makes a long-term impact,” says a spokesperson from the Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District. By replacing salt with grit on even a single driveway, Minnesotans help protect their local waters, wildlife, and infrastructure.

How to Get Involved

Residents and businesses can pick up free bags of grit at participating locations through January 16. They are encouraged to share the practice with neighbors, offices, places of worship, and homeowners associations. For guidance on smart salting and environmental impacts, resources are available through the watershed districts and the Low Salt, No Salt Minnesota program.

Winter safety doesn’t have to come at the cost of Minnesota’s water. With a simple switch from salt to grit, communities can preserve lakes, protect drinking water, and safeguard ecosystems—one driveway at a time.

Learn more and find participating locations: getgrittymn.org

MinneapoliMedia