Debate on calcium chloride

   I have received emails and spoken comments from people in the Township about Mr. Melby’s letter in the August 23, 2022 of the Pine Cone Press-Citizen on the topic of calcium chloride. Just a few of those were that:

   • Folks were questioning the “nutritional value” of road salt in its use on township roads …

   • Mr. Melby’s letter seemed to be a bit lacking in credibility, so perhaps not many people took it seriously …

   • A person who is a plumber stated that he is part of a coalition of groups that is conducting water testing clinics in MN and that those groups have seen the impact of road salt and softener salt on people’s drinking water and the biology of aquatic systems …This person also said he tells people that we need to move away from both road salt and softener salt ASAP …

   It should be obvious to everyone that salt is a cumulative contaminant problem, as once put into the environment, it doesn’t go away. There are state agencies working on reducing salt use and holding clinics. There is a huge effect on cars, rust and corrosion specifically, with rusting of brake lines and corrosion of aluminum wheels and trim as examples.

   These are just a few of the comments from the last week. It seems that our Township residents have a different perception than that of Mr. Melby.

Gordy Reher

Woodrow Township Road Liaison