Exhibit (15)

August 2, 2012

Securities and Exchange Commission

100 F Street, N.E.

Washington, D.C. 20549

RE: Ecolab Inc. Registration Statements on Form S-8 (Registration Nos. 2-90702; 33-18202; 33-55986; 33-56101; 333-95043; 333-109890; 33-34000; 33-56151; 333-18627; 333-109891; 33-39228; 33-56125; 333-70835; 33-60266; 333-95041; 333-18617; 333-79449; 333-40239; 333-95037; 333-50969; 333-58360; 333-97927; 333-115567; 333-129427; 333-129428; 333-140988; 333-115568; 333-132139; 333-147148; 333-163837; 333-163838; 333-165130; 333-165132; 333-166646; 333-174028; 333-176601; 333-178300; and 333-178302) and Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-178273).

Commissioners:

We are aware that our report dated August 2, 2012 on our review of interim financial information of Ecolab Inc. (the “Company”) for the three-months and six-month periods ended June 30, 2012 and 2011 and included in the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2012 is incorporated by reference in its Registration Statements listed above.

Yours very truly,


/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP

Minneapolis, Minnesota