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  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;">UNITED STATES</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
  COMMISSION</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;">Washington, D.C.&#160; 20549</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">FORM&nbsp;8-K</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">CURRENT REPORT</font></b></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or 15(d)&nbsp;of the
  Securities Exchange Act of 1934</font></b></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
   <tr>
    <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.34%;">
    <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Date of Report </font>(Date of earliest event reported)</p>
    </td>
    <td width="52%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:52.66%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 20.0pt;text-indent:-10.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">April&nbsp;24,
    2008</font></p>
    </td>
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  </table>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-align:center;text-indent:-1.0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-align:center;text-indent:-1.0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
   <tr>
    <td width="100%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:100.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">ECOLAB INC.</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="100%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:100.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Exact name of
    registrant as specified in its charter)</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
  </table>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-1.0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-1.0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <div align="center">
  
  <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
   <tr>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Delaware</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">1-9328</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">41-0231510</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><font style="font-size:10.0pt;">(State or other jurisdiction</font><br>
    </font>of incorporation)</p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><font style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Commission</font><br>
    </font>File Number)</p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><font style="font-size:10.0pt;">(IRS Employer</font><br>
    </font>Identification No.)</p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="66%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:66.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">370 Wabasha
    Street North, Saint Paul, Minnesota</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="32%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">55102</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="66%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:66.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Address of principal executive offices)</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:2.0%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="32%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in .7pt 0in .7pt;width:32.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Zip Code)</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
  </table>
  
  </div>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-1.0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
   <tr>
    <td width="46%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:46.84%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Registrant&#146;s telephone
    number, including area code</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="53%" valign="bottom" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:53.16%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 10.0pt;text-align:center;text-indent:-10.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">651-293-2233</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
  </table>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-align:center;text-indent:-1.0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
   <tr>
    <td width="100%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:100.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Not applicable)</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="100%" valign="top" style="border:none;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:100.0%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
  </table>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:justify;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Check the
  appropriate box below if the Form&nbsp;8-K filing is intended to simultaneously
  satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following
  provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">[&nbsp;] Written
  communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
  230.425)</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">[&nbsp;] Soliciting
  material pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
  240.14a-12)</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .2in;text-indent:-.2in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">[&nbsp;] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14d-2(b)&nbsp;under
  the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .2in;text-indent:-.2in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">[&nbsp;] Pre-commencement
  communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;13a-4(c)&nbsp;under the Exchange Act (17
  CRF 240.13e-4(c))</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  </div>
  <!-- SEQ.=1,FOLIO='',FILE='C:\JMS\105586\08-12411-1\task2889318\12411-1-ba.htm',USER='105586',CD='Apr 24 15:55 2008' -->
  
  
  <br clear="all" style="page-break-before:always;">
  
  
  <div style="font-family:Times New Roman;">
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-1.0in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><u><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Item 2.02 Results of
  Operations and Financial Condition</font></u>.</p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:justify;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">On April&nbsp;24, 2008,
  Ecolab Inc. (&#147;Ecolab&#148;) announced earnings for the first quarter ended March&nbsp;31,
  2008.&#160; A copy of the News Release issued
  by Ecolab in connection with this report under Item 2.02 is attached as Exhibit&nbsp;(99)
  and incorporated by reference herein.&#160;
  Ecolab also will publish the News Release on its website located at www.ecolab.com.</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:justify;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">In the News Release dated
  April&nbsp;24, 2008, Ecolab discloses the impact on comparative reported
  diluted earnings per share of certain discrete tax benefits and special gains
  and charges taken in the first quarter of 2008.&#160;
  Ecolab&#146;s management believes that disclosing this information is useful
  for investors because it facilitates the comparison of current and prior period
  operating results by eliminating the effect of non-recurring charges.</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><u><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Item 9.01 Financial
  Statements and Exhibits</font></u>.</p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
   <tr>
    <td width="7%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:7.34%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 30.0pt;text-indent:-10.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(d)</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.84%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="90%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:90.84%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Exhibits.</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="7%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:7.34%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.84%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="90%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:90.84%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The following exhibit
    is furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 of Form&nbsp;8-K and should not be deemed
    to be &#147;filed&#148; under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="7%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:7.34%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.84%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="90%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:90.84%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="7%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:7.34%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="1%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:1.84%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="90%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:90.84%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 30.0pt;text-indent:-10.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(99)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ecolab
    Inc. News Release dated April&nbsp;24, 2008.</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
  </table>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 125.25pt;text-align:center;text-indent:-53.25pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 125.25pt;text-align:center;text-indent:-53.25pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">SIGNATURE</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Pursuant to the
  requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly
  caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly
  authorized.</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
   <tr>
    <td width="53%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:53.76%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="46%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:46.24%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">ECOLAB INC.</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="53%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:53.76%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="46%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:46.24%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="53%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:53.76%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="46%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:46.24%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="53%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:53.76%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="46%" colspan="3" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:46.24%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="53%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:53.76%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Date:&nbsp;&nbsp;April&nbsp;24,
    2008</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.74%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">By:</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="28%" valign="top" style="border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:28.92%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">/s/Sarah Z. Erickson</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="13%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:13.58%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="53%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:53.76%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.74%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="42%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:42.5%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Sarah Z. Erickson</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="53%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:53.76%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="3%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:3.74%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="42%" colspan="2" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:42.5%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Assistant Secretary</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
  </table>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">2</font></p>
  
  </div>
  <!-- SEQ.=1,FOLIO='2',FILE='C:\JMS\105586\08-12411-1\task2889318\12411-1-ba.htm',USER='105586',CD='Apr 24 15:55 2008' -->
  
  
  <br clear="all" style="page-break-before:always;">
  
  
  <div style="font-family:Times New Roman;">
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">EXHIBIT INDEX</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" style="border-collapse:collapse;width:100.0%;">
   <tr>
    <td width="8%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:8.88%;">
    <p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><u><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Exhibit&nbsp;No</font></u>.</p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.22%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="39%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:39.06%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><u><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Description</font></u></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.6%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="47%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.24%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><u><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Method&nbsp;Of&nbsp;Filing</font></u></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="8%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:8.88%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.22%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="39%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:39.06%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.6%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.24%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
   <tr>
    <td width="8%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:8.88%;">
    <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(99)</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.22%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="39%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:39.06%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Ecolab Inc. News
    Release dated April&nbsp;24, 2008.</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.6%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
    </td>
    <td width="47%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:47.24%;">
    <p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Filed herewith
    electronically.</font></p>
    </td>
   </tr>
  </table>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
  
  <p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">3</font></p>
  
  </div>
  <!-- SEQ.=1,FOLIO='3',FILE='C:\JMS\105586\08-12411-1\task2889318\12411-1-ba.htm',USER='105586',CD='Apr 24 15:55 2008' -->
  
  
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metadata_documents: [{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "filename": "a08-12411_18k.htm", "description": "8-K", "secsgml_size_bytes": 30666}]
metadata_filer: {"company-data": {"conformed-name": "ECOLAB INC", "cik": "0000031462", "assigned-sic": "2840", "irs-number": "410231510", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "001-09328", "film-number": "08773217"}, "business-address": {"street1": "ECOLAB CORPORATE CENTER", "street2": "370 WABASHA STREET NORTH", "city": "ST PAUL", "state": "MN", "zip": "55102", "phone": "6512932233"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "ECOLAB CORPORATE CENTER", "street2": "370 WABASHA STREET NORTH", "city": "ST. PAUL", "state": "MN", "zip": "55102"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "ECONOMICS LABORATORY INC", "date-changed": "19861203"}}
text: UNITED STATES
  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
  COMMISSION
  Washington, D.C.  20549
  FORM 8-K
  CURRENT REPORT
  Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
  Securities Exchange Act of 1934
  Date of Report
  (Date of earliest event reported)
  April 24,
    2008
  ECOLAB INC.
  (Exact name of
    registrant as specified in its charter)
  Delaware
  1-9328
  41-0231510
  (State or other jurisdiction
  of incorporation)
  (Commission
  File Number)
  (IRS Employer
  Identification No.)
  370 Wabasha
    Street North, Saint Paul, Minnesota
  55102
  (Address of principal executive offices)
  (Zip Code)
  Registrant's telephone
    number, including area code
  651-293-2233
  (Not applicable)
  (Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
  Check the
  appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously
  satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following
  provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
  [ ] Written
  communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
  230.425)
  [ ] Soliciting
  material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
  240.14a-12)
  [ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under
  the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
  [ ] Pre-commencement
  communications pursuant to Rule 13a-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17
  CRF 240.13e-4(c))
  Item 2.02 Results of
  Operations and Financial Condition
  .
  On April 24, 2008,
  Ecolab Inc. ("Ecolab") announced earnings for the first quarter ended March 31,
  2008.  A copy of the News Release issued
  by Ecolab in connection with this report under Item 2.02 is attached as Exhibit (99)
  and incorporated by reference herein. 
  Ecolab also will publish the News Release on its website located at www.ecolab.com.
  In the News Release dated
  April 24, 2008, Ecolab discloses the impact on comparative reported
  diluted earnings per share of certain discrete tax benefits and special gains
  and charges taken in the first quarter of 2008. 
  Ecolab's management believes that disclosing this information is useful
  for investors because it facilitates the comparison of current and prior period
  operating results by eliminating the effect of non-recurring charges.
  Item 9.01 Financial
  Statements and Exhibits
  .
  (d)
  Exhibits.
  The following exhibit
    is furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 of Form 8-K and should not be deemed
    to be "filed" under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
  (99)         Ecolab
    Inc. News Release dated April 24, 2008.
  SIGNATURE
  Pursuant to the
  requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly
  caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly
  authorized.
  ECOLAB INC.
  Date:  April 24,
    2008
  By:
  /s/Sarah Z. Erickson
  Sarah Z. Erickson
  Assistant Secretary
  2
  EXHIBIT INDEX
  Exhibit No
  .
  Description
  Method Of Filing
  (99)
  Ecolab Inc. News
    Release dated April 24, 2008.
  Filed herewith
    electronically.
  3