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Consultation has concluded
The City of Minnetonka is requesting input on a draft deicer storage ordinance that requires proper storage of deicers used for winter maintenance activities for all commercial, institutional and industrials properties in the city.
We would like to hear from you! Please complete the short survey below and provide your feedback on the proposed ordinance. We have extended the submission deadline to Oct. 2, 2022.
Why an ordinance? Deicers used to reduce ice and snow on roads, parking lots and sidewalks often include salt, which contains chloride. Chloride is easily transmitted into lakes, streams and groundwater, threatening drinking water supplies, as well as the health of freshwater fish and other aquatic life. It takes only one teaspoon of salt to pollute five gallons of water. Once in the water, there is no easy way to remove it. Minnesota residents experience the impacts of chloride contamination in many ways:
Fish and aquatic bugs- High amounts of chloride are toxic to fish, aquatic bugs and amphibians. Chloride can negatively affect the fish and insect population, species diversity and productivity, even at lower levels
Plants- Road salt splash can kill plants and trees along the roadside. Plants that take up salty water through their roots can also suffer. Chloride in streams, lakes and wetlands harms aquatic vegetation and can change the plant community structure.
Soil- Salt-covered soil can lose its ability to retain water and store nutrients and be more prone to erosion and sediment runoff (which also harms water quality).
Pets- Salt can sicken pets that consume it, lick it off their paws, or drink salty snow melt and runoff. It can also irritate their paw pads.
Infrastructure- Chloride corrodes road surfaces and bridges and damages reinforcing rods, increasing maintenance and repair costs.
Wildlife- Some birds like finches and house sparrows, can die from ingesting deicing salt. Some salt-sensitive species are particularly at risk.
The City of Minnetonka is requesting input on a draft deicer storage ordinance that requires proper storage of deicers used for winter maintenance activities for all commercial, institutional and industrials properties in the city.
We would like to hear from you! Please complete the short survey below and provide your feedback on the proposed ordinance. We have extended the submission deadline to Oct. 2, 2022.
Why an ordinance? Deicers used to reduce ice and snow on roads, parking lots and sidewalks often include salt, which contains chloride. Chloride is easily transmitted into lakes, streams and groundwater, threatening drinking water supplies, as well as the health of freshwater fish and other aquatic life. It takes only one teaspoon of salt to pollute five gallons of water. Once in the water, there is no easy way to remove it. Minnesota residents experience the impacts of chloride contamination in many ways:
Fish and aquatic bugs- High amounts of chloride are toxic to fish, aquatic bugs and amphibians. Chloride can negatively affect the fish and insect population, species diversity and productivity, even at lower levels
Plants- Road salt splash can kill plants and trees along the roadside. Plants that take up salty water through their roots can also suffer. Chloride in streams, lakes and wetlands harms aquatic vegetation and can change the plant community structure.
Soil- Salt-covered soil can lose its ability to retain water and store nutrients and be more prone to erosion and sediment runoff (which also harms water quality).
Pets- Salt can sicken pets that consume it, lick it off their paws, or drink salty snow melt and runoff. It can also irritate their paw pads.
Infrastructure- Chloride corrodes road surfaces and bridges and damages reinforcing rods, increasing maintenance and repair costs.
Wildlife- Some birds like finches and house sparrows, can die from ingesting deicing salt. Some salt-sensitive species are particularly at risk.
