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Level 2 training has been developed for winter maintenance leadership (public or private).  It will help leaders assess their entire winter maintenance operation and chart a path towards salt reduction.  The training centers around the use of the free online Smart Salting Assessment tool SSAt.  Note that attending Level 2 training is not required to become Level 2 certified but using SSAt is required.  Level 2 training walks attendees through how to use the tool and its many capabilities for assessments, salt saving projections and reporting.
 
Level 2 training has been developed for winter maintenance leadership (public or private).  It will help leaders assess their entire winter maintenance operation and chart a path towards salt reduction.  The training centers around the use of the free online Smart Salting Assessment tool SSAt.  Note that attending Level 2 training is not required to become Level 2 certified but using SSAt is required.  Level 2 training walks attendees through how to use the tool and its many capabilities for assessments, salt saving projections and reporting.
  
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==Smart Salting Assessment Tool (SSAt)==
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Today SSAt allows the user to conduct assessments in winter maintenance and in dust control.  Future additions are planned in Water Softening and likely Fertilizer. 
  
 
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==MPCA Smart Salting Level 2 training and certification: Smart Salting Assessment Tool (SSAt)==
 
==MPCA Smart Salting Level 2 training and certification: Smart Salting Assessment Tool (SSAt)==
 
Level 2 is a certification for public and private organizations to help you assess your salt use and take steps to minimize it.  
 
Level 2 is a certification for public and private organizations to help you assess your salt use and take steps to minimize it.  
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#Click the ‘Submit’ after the proper reports have been selected.
 
#Click the ‘Submit’ after the proper reports have been selected.
 
#After the reports have been submitted, if they are complete the tool will generate a certificate for your organization. Return to the user home page and select "Print Certificate." The "Certification status" section of the user home page will note when your Level 2 certification expires.  
 
#After the reports have been submitted, if they are complete the tool will generate a certificate for your organization. Return to the user home page and select "Print Certificate." The "Certification status" section of the user home page will note when your Level 2 certification expires.  
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For questions please contact:
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Maintaining Level 2 Certification Organizations with Level 2 certification remain certified as long as they update and resubmit their reports every 2 years.  
*[mailto:brooke.asleson@state.mn.us Brooke Asleson], 651-757-2205
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*The MPCA is interested in sharing positive, salt-saving changes. Please share your success story with us at [mailto:smartsalting.pca@state.mn.us]
*[mailto:rachel.olmanson@state.mn.us Rachel Olmanson], 651-757-2473
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*If you have any questions about the certification process or the SSAt please contact us. [mailto:smartsalting.pca@state.mn.us]
 
 
'''Maintaining Level 2 Certification'''
 
Organizations with Level 2 certification remain certified as long as they update and resubmit their Best Management Practices and Salt Savings reports. Level 2 certification is valid for two years. Smart Salting Level 1 training is not required for Level 2 certification, but is recommended. The MPCA is interested in sharing positive, salt-saving changes. If you have reduced your salt consumption due to change in your practices, please let us know.
 
  
 
==Property Manager certification==
 
==Property Manager certification==

Revision as of 21:16, 21 May 2020

smart salting photo
Information: Because of the expanded training schedule, we no longer maintain the training schedule in the stormwater manual. The training calendar is found here.

Did you ever think about what happens to the tons of salt that goes on our roads, parking lots, and sidewalks each winter? Most of it ends up in our lakes, streams, wetlands, and groundwater. As a result, clean water in Minnesota is in jeopardy.

The MPCA’s Smart Salting trainings provide suggestions to improve operator effectiveness and for reducing chloride pollution while keeping the roads, parking lots, and sidewalks safe. Many organizations that have participated in the Smart Salting training have been able to reduce their salt use by 30-70%!

Learn how you and your organization can become Smart Salting certified.

Smart Salting (S2) training schedule

Because of the initial success of the pilot project, Fortin Consulting has received a 319 grant to conduct additional training sessions in Minnesota. The training calendar is found here.

Training sessions include the following.

  • Level 1 training
    • Smart Salting for roads
      • 5 year individual certification
    • Smart Salting for parking lots and sidewalks
      • 5 year individual certification
    • Smart Salting for Property Management
      • 3 year individual certification
  • Smart Salting Level 2
    • 2 year organizational certification

MPCA Smart Salting Level 1 Certification: Snow and ice control best practices

If you are involved with winter maintenance, you can learn how to significantly reduce your salt use, reduce damages to infrastructure and vegetation and save money while maintaining your current level of service.

Who should participate?

MPCA Smart Salting Level 2 training and organizational level certification

Level 2 training has been developed for winter maintenance leadership (public or private). It will help leaders assess their entire winter maintenance operation and chart a path towards salt reduction. The training centers around the use of the free online Smart Salting Assessment tool SSAt. Note that attending Level 2 training is not required to become Level 2 certified but using SSAt is required. Level 2 training walks attendees through how to use the tool and its many capabilities for assessments, salt saving projections and reporting.

Smart Salting Assessment Tool (SSAt)

Today SSAt allows the user to conduct assessments in winter maintenance and in dust control. Future additions are planned in Water Softening and likely Fertilizer.


Maintaining Level 2 Certification Organizations with Level 2 certification remain certified as long as they update and resubmit their reports every 2 years.

  • The MPCA is interested in sharing positive, salt-saving changes. Please share your success story with us at [1]
  • If you have any questions about the certification process or the SSAt please contact us. [2]

Property Manager certification

The goal of this training is to help property managers save money and protect water resources by using less salt to de-ice parking lots, sidewalks and other surfaces. The salt used in winter maintenance is having serious side effects on infrastructure, vegetation and lakes, streams and groundwater. Participants will learn strategies for achieving safe surfaces in the winter with less salt.

This is a 3 year certification, to become Smart Salting certified.

  • Attend training
  • Pass test
  • Pledge to hire certified contractors
  • Pledge to certify your staff
  • Pledge to reduce salt use on your properties

Model Snow and Ice Policies

Example Snow and Ice Policies


Additional Winter Maintenance Resources

Related pages