MPR reports on Low Salt Design

The biggest source of chloride pollution is road salt used to melt ice on streets, sidewalks, and parking lots. Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) recently reported on the low salt design movement to rethink how those places are built to reduce the need for so much salt.

Chloride is a permanent pollutant, and many Minnesota water bodies now have chloride levels higher than state standards set to protect fish and aquatic life. 

Bolton & Menk is currently partnering with the city of Eden Prairie and other Minnesota cities to test out low-salt design. The concept is to plan streets and buildings so ice and melted snow don’t accumulate in places where people walk and drive. 

Connie Fortin, low salt strategist at Bolton & Menk, shared with MPR some of the design solutions being taken by the firm to protect Minnesota’s water bodies from this pollutant.

You can read more about this issue and low salt solutions on MPR’s website or listen to the interview with Eden Prairie Water Resources Coordinator Lori Haak and Bolton & Menk employees.