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− | + | To view this section as an individual page [[TCMA Chloride Management Plan - Prioritizing and Implementing Restoration and Protection - Citizens|link here]]. | |
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This group includes everyone living or working in the TCMA. Each person contributes to the attitudes and practices that have created a high and steadily growing volume of salt to be used each year. In order to reverse this situation each person must contribute to changing attitudes and practices that are more sustainable and require less salt. The list of actions that this group can take is extensive. Citizens form public policy, set the expectations that our maintenance crews must live up to, and use salt on their own property such as water softening and salting their sidewalks in the winter. Engaging the citizenry in the TCMA offers the best chance to get salt use under control. | This group includes everyone living or working in the TCMA. Each person contributes to the attitudes and practices that have created a high and steadily growing volume of salt to be used each year. In order to reverse this situation each person must contribute to changing attitudes and practices that are more sustainable and require less salt. The list of actions that this group can take is extensive. Citizens form public policy, set the expectations that our maintenance crews must live up to, and use salt on their own property such as water softening and salting their sidewalks in the winter. Engaging the citizenry in the TCMA offers the best chance to get salt use under control. | ||
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Citizens can look for ways to reduce salt use. Every teaspoon of salt reduction prevents five gallons of water from being polluted. Small changes can have big results. Typically the biggest salt uses are sidewalk/driveway/steps (winter maintenance) salt and water softeners, with the outdoor use for winter maintenance being the largest use. | Citizens can look for ways to reduce salt use. Every teaspoon of salt reduction prevents five gallons of water from being polluted. Small changes can have big results. Typically the biggest salt uses are sidewalk/driveway/steps (winter maintenance) salt and water softeners, with the outdoor use for winter maintenance being the largest use. | ||
− | + | ===Winter safety=== | |
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*Support local and state winter maintenance crews in their efforts to reduce their salt use. | *Support local and state winter maintenance crews in their efforts to reduce their salt use. | ||
*Work together with local government, businesses, schools, churches, and non-profits to find ways to reduce salt use in the community. | *Work together with local government, businesses, schools, churches, and non-profits to find ways to reduce salt use in the community. | ||
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*Read and pass along Nine Mile Creek Watershed District's (NMCWD) brochure about residential snow and ice care: [http://www.ninemilecreek.org/EDUCATION/PDFs/Buying%20a%20Deicer_NMCWD.pdf Residential snow and ice care (NMCWD)] | *Read and pass along Nine Mile Creek Watershed District's (NMCWD) brochure about residential snow and ice care: [http://www.ninemilecreek.org/EDUCATION/PDFs/Buying%20a%20Deicer_NMCWD.pdf Residential snow and ice care (NMCWD)] | ||
− | + | ===Water softening=== | |
*Use a high efficiency water softener. | *Use a high efficiency water softener. | ||
*Avoid using softened water for irrigation or drinking water. | *Avoid using softened water for irrigation or drinking water. | ||
*Do not use a water softener if source water is already softened by the WWTP. | *Do not use a water softener if source water is already softened by the WWTP. |
To view this section as an individual page link here.
This group includes everyone living or working in the TCMA. Each person contributes to the attitudes and practices that have created a high and steadily growing volume of salt to be used each year. In order to reverse this situation each person must contribute to changing attitudes and practices that are more sustainable and require less salt. The list of actions that this group can take is extensive. Citizens form public policy, set the expectations that our maintenance crews must live up to, and use salt on their own property such as water softening and salting their sidewalks in the winter. Engaging the citizenry in the TCMA offers the best chance to get salt use under control.
There are many ways to reduce salt use while maintaining high safety standards. Below are a few simple steps that residents can take to help reduce the amount of chloride entering waters. More ideas are listed on the MPCA’s website.
Citizens can look for ways to reduce salt use. Every teaspoon of salt reduction prevents five gallons of water from being polluted. Small changes can have big results. Typically the biggest salt uses are sidewalk/driveway/steps (winter maintenance) salt and water softeners, with the outdoor use for winter maintenance being the largest use.