Professional Ice Management & Salting Services in Boston

Boston Ice Management & Salting Regulations

Boston’s 6-hour snow clearing requirement extends beyond mechanical snow removal to include ice management and anti-icing treatments ensuring safe passage throughout winter weather events. Professional salting services provide precise material application using calibrated equipment, temperature-appropriate de-icer selection, and environmental compliance protocols protecting Boston’s drinking water sources, including Boston Harbor, the Charles River, the Mystic River, and Quabbin Reservoir, as well as the city’s urban forest canopy from chemical contamination while maintaining legally-required pedestrian safety standards.

Boston Water and Sewer Commission
980 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02119
Phone: (617) 989-7000
Official Website: Boston Water and Sewer Commission

Massachusetts Wellhead Protection Zones and Storage Restrictions

Massachusetts Drinking Water Regulations 310 CMR 22.21(2)(b) impose strict prohibitions and storage requirements for de-icing chemicals within designated wellhead protection zones safeguarding public drinking water supplies.

Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
One Winter Street, Boston, MA 02108
Phone: (617) 292-5500
Official Website: MassDEP Wellhead Protection

Zone I Requirements (400-foot radius from wellhead): Storage of sodium chloride, chemically treated abrasives, or de-icing chemicals is prohibited unless contained within completely enclosed, watertight buildings with impermeable floors and spill containment systems.

Zone II Requirements (primary aquifer recharge area): De-icer storage allowed with secondary containment systems, concrete or asphalt impermeable storage pads, covered storage structures preventing rainwater contact, and regular monitoring protocols.

MassDEP guidelines prohibit storage or disposal of snow containing de-icing chemicals within Zone A and Zone II wellhead protection areas. Salt-contaminated snow must be transported to designated disposal sites with controlled drainage.

EPA Clean Water Act and Massachusetts Stormwater Standards

De-icing chemicals entering municipal stormwater drainage systems constitute water quality pollutants regulated under federal Clean Water Act provisions and Massachusetts stormwater management regulations. Boston’s combined storm sewer system discharges runoff directly to receiving waters without treatment.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 1
5 Post Office Square, Suite 100, Boston, MA 02109
Phone: (888) 372-7341
Official Website: EPA Region 1

Boston Water and Sewer Commission operates Boston’s municipal combined storm sewer system collecting rainwater, snowmelt, and ice melt runoff and conveying this drainage without treatment directly to Boston Harbor, the Charles River, Mystic River, and Fort Point Channel. All de-icing chemicals applied to streets, sidewalks, parking lots, and driveways flow untreated into receiving waters.

310 CMR 10.05(6) requires commercial properties, industrial facilities, and large parking lots to develop Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs) documenting winter maintenance practices, de-icer application rates, and pollution minimization strategies.

Massachusetts Water Resources Authority
100 First Avenue, Charlestown Navy Yard, Boston, MA 02129
Phone: (617) 242-6000
Official Website: Massachusetts Water Resources Authority

Massachusetts Water Resources Authority manages regional water supply protecting Quabbin Reservoir, Wachusett Reservoir, and associated water sources from contamination. Report clogged catch basins to Boston Water and Sewer Commission at (617) 989-7000. Report illegal dumping or improper disposal to EPA Region 1 at (888) 372-7341 or Massachusetts DEP at (617) 292-5500.

Urban Forest Protection and Vegetation Salt Damage Prevention

De-icing salt causes extensive damage to Boston’s urban forest through root zone contamination, foliar spray injury, and soil structure degradation. Boston Parks and Recreation Department manages approximately over 38,000 street trees requiring protection from winter maintenance chemical damage.

Boston Parks and Recreation Department
1010 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02118
Phone: (617) 635-4505
Official Website: Boston Parks and Recreation Department

Visible Salt Injury Symptoms:

• Branch dieback starting at twig tips
• Yellowing or browning of evergreen needles
• Delayed spring bud break and reduced leaf size
• Bark splitting and crown thinning

Protective Measures:

• Wrap burlap screens around shrubs near driveways and sidewalks
• Apply heavy irrigation (2-3 inches water) in April-May leaching accumulated salt from root zones
• Broadcast gypsum at 50 pounds per 1,000 square feet in October
• Maintain 2-4 inch mulch layer over root zones
• Select salt-tolerant species: Austrian pine, Japanese black pine, red oak, honey locust, rugosa rose

Boston Environment Department
1 City Hall Square, Room 709, Boston, MA 02201
Phone: (617) 635-3850
Official Website: Boston Environment Department

Professional Salting Services Throughout Boston Neighborhoods

Downtown/Financial District: Rapid ice management is critical for high pedestrian traffic and protection of Boston Harbor water quality. Liquid brine treatments are preferred to minimize material usage and reduce chloride runoff into the harbor and Fort Point Channel.

Back Bay & Beacon Hill: Historic brick sidewalks, brownstone steps, and mature street trees require careful application of calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) and reduced sodium chloride rates to prevent infrastructure damage and protect landmark elms and oaks.

South Boston Waterfront & Seaport: Coastal proximity to Boston Harbor necessitates strict compliance with MWRA discharge guidelines and use of alternative de-icers during extreme cold, with frequent monitoring to prevent marine chloride contamination.

Jamaica Plain: Neighborhoods bordering the Emerald Necklace park system and Arnold Arboretum require sensitive ice management to protect urban woodlands, rare plant collections, and ponds from runoff containing de-icing chemicals.

Roslindale & West Roxbury: Residential zones with extensive tree canopy and proximity to conservation lands demand low-salt application strategies to prevent soil degradation and support healthy vegetation.

Charlestown: Sloped streets near the Mystic River increase runoff velocity, requiring calibrated application rates and storm drain protection measures to minimize river impacts and flooding.

East Boston: Waterfront location and dense infrastructure adjacent to the Chelsea Creek and Boston Harbor require special attention to stormwater intake placements and anti-icing protocols to reduce brine movement into sensitive marine environments.

Fenway-Kenmore: High-density student and event areas near the Back Bay Fens and Muddy River demand precise timing of salting to balance pedestrian safety with wetland protection and storm drain filtration efficiency.