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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-07-009454.txt : 20070508
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-07-009454.hdr.sgml : 20070508
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20070508170932
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-07-009454
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20070504
FILED AS OF DATE:		20070508
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20070508

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ECOLAB INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000031462
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SOAP, DETERGENT, CLEANING PREPARATIONS, PERFUMES, COSMETICS [2840]
		IRS NUMBER:				410231510
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ECOLAB CORPORATE CENTER
		STREET 2:		370 WABASHA STREET NORTH
		CITY:			ST PAUL
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55102
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6512932233

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ECOLAB CORPORATE CENTER
		STREET 2:		370 WABASHA STREET NORTH
		CITY:			ST. PAUL
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55102

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	ECONOMICS LABORATORY INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19861203

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			JOHNSON JOEL W
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001190003

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-09328
		FILM NUMBER:		07829032

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1 HORMEL PLACE
		CITY:			AUSTIN
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55912

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1 HORMEL PLACE
		CITY:			AUSTIN
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			55912
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2007-05-04</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000031462</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ECOLAB INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ECL</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

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        <reportingOwnerId>
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            <rptOwnerName>JOHNSON JOEL W</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>THE HORMEL FOUNDATION</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>301 N. MAIN STREET</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>AUSTIN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>MN</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>55912</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

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            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
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            <securityTitle>
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                    <value>1928</value>
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                    <value>D</value>
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        <derivativeTransaction>
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                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
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                <transactionShares>
                    <value>4282</value>
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                    <value>0</value>
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                    <value>A</value>
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                    <value>4282</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
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    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Reflects the reporting person's payment of the exercise price of the stock options issued in accordance with Rule 16b-3 in each case by delivering shares of Ecolab common stock.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Includes 46.68 shares acquired by dividend reinvestment under the Dividend Reinvestment Plan for shareholders of Ecolab sponsored by Computershare Trust Company, Inc.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">The exercise price for the stock options has been halved and the number of shares subject to the options doubled to reflect a 2-for-1 stock split paid June 6, 2003 subsequent to the original reporting of the options.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ David F. Duvick, Attorney-in-Fact for Joel W. Johnson</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-05-08</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
