What happens to the natural minerals removed during Bloomington’s drinking water treatment process? They get a second life helping farmers grow crops.
Bloomington’s Agricultural Liming Material, or ALM, is a byproduct of the drinking water treatment process. Made primarily of naturally occurring minerals, ALM can help neutralize acidic soils, improve soil pH, increase nutrient availability and support crop productivity
Over the past 10 years, Bloomington has provided an average of 15,321 cubic yards of ALM each year to farm fields across seven metro counties. The material provides participating farmers with a no-cost source of lime while helping reduce waste.
By putting these minerals to work in local agriculture, the City supports farmers and demonstrates how environmental stewardship can benefit the entire community. Learn more about how Bloomington is finding responsible ways to support the environment at blm.mn/sustainability.
