Cities across Minnesota are working to reduce chloride pollution in lakes and streams, by reducing road salt usage or reducing the amount of salty discharges to their wastewater treatment plants. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) recently announced two new resources to help with these efforts:
The model ordinance serves as guidance for municipal officials who want direction in regulating the use of deicers to protect water quality, animals, human health, and infrastructure. The language was adapted from existing code from midwestern cities along with the MPCA’s Smart Salting and deicer management guidance. Local governments may want to institute regulatory options voluntarily or as part of their MS4 program. They may also tailor the language to their needs.
The rebate program guide is for City or watershed staff who have determined that water softeners are a significant source of the chloride load to their wastewater treatment facility. The guide covers the general steps for developing a program to offer residents a rebate for optimizing, upgrading, or removing their water softeners.
For additional resources, please visit the MPCA’s Statewide chloride resources or contact Brooke Asleson, the MPCA Water Pollution Prevention Coordinator.