Chloride pollution has become a growing concern in Minnesota, largely due to winter de-icing salt and the use of water softener salt. At high concentrations, chloride is toxic to aquatic life, degrades water quality, and is especially problematic because it is a permanent pollutant—just one teaspoon of salt can pollute five gallons of water. Using free Salt Watch kits provided by the Izaak Walton League of America, city staff tested chloride levels in three major waterways within the city in 2025 to determine whether chloride pollution was present. To learn more and review the results of this study go to 2025 Chloride Levels Report (DOCX).
