2025 Sweeping & Salting Showdown

The Minnesota Sea Grant Clean Sweep program is partnering with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Chloride Reduction Program and Hamline University to hold a street sweeping and de-icing equipment showcase, hosted by the city of Minnetonka. 

The event will highlight equipment options, enabling cities, communities, and agencies to make informed investments in their sweeping and salting programs. These investments will reduce the amount of nutrients and salt entering stormwater systems, which will improve the water quality of Minnesota's water resources.

Who should attend this event:

• Public works directors and staff
• Program directors at watershed organizations and Soil & Water Conservation Districts (SWCD)
• State agency staff, including those who administer grant funding for equipment
• Environmental professionals
• Public and private property owners and managers
   

What the Showdown includes:

• Presentations by the University of Minnesota, MPCA, Hamline University, and the city of Minnetonka on winter weather technology, community outreach, and addressing water quality through enhanced street sweeping, smart salting, and Adopt-a-Drain.
• Small group and panel discussions on sweeping and winter road maintenance equipment.
• A "showdown" between different vehicles and equipment options:
  • Street sweepers: observing first-hand how effectively each vehicle cleans the streets directly, and Q&A with equipment vendors
  • Winter road maintenance equipment: displays and demos of winter road maintenance equipment, plus learning from the operators and vendors
• Tour of brine production and de-icing operations by the city of Minnetonka
   

This free event is open to the public, with registration required. Lunch will be provided to registered attendees.