HomeMy WebLinkAboutFeb 22 Salt_Application_Limited_Liability_Release
City of Edina • 4801 W. 50th St. • Edina, MN 55424
Contact: Jake Omodt, Communications Intern
Phone 952-833-9522 • commintern@EdinaMN.gov • EdinaMN.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
City Supports State Law Providing Limited Liability to Commercial
Salt Applicators
Edina, Minn., Feb. 22, 2018 – The City of Edina signed and adopted a resolution in support of a proposed
State law to limit liability for private commercial salt applicators who undergo training and use best practices
when de-icing sidewalks and roads. Edina is the first city in the state to adopt the resolution and leaders hope
by showing support, other cities will, too.
The City Council adopted the resolution after the results from a study by the Minnesota Pollution Control
Agency came out. The study found 39 waterbodies in the Twin Cities metro area are impaired by excess
amounts of chloride. The majority of chloride in the waterbodies comes from the application of chloride
compounds like road salt used on our roads, sidewalks and other hard surfaces.
“We salt our roads and sidewalks to keep them safe for people,” said Sustainability Coordinator Tara Brown.
“The adverse effect is that it pollutes our water.”
Most businesses and commercial salt applicators use excess amounts of salt to give a perception of heightened
safety, but with every teaspoon of salt used, five gallons of water are permanently polluted.
Addressing challenging environmental issues like chloride pollution takes a large amount of tools, technology,
strategy and education. Over the past several years, more than 50 City employees have completed the
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s Smart Salting certification.
For more information on the salt application training, visit www.pca.state.mn.us/water/salt-application-training
and for more information on the City of Edina’s water resources, contact Brown at tbrown@EdinaMn.gov.
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