Professional Ice Management & Salting Services in Somerville

Somerville Ice Management & Salting Regulations

Somerville’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 Somerville’s drinking water sources, the Mystic River, Alewife Brook, Miller’s River, and the Charles River watershed, as well as the city’s urban forest canopy from chemical contamination while maintaining legally-required pedestrian safety standards.

Somerville Water and Sewer Department
17 Franey Road, Somerville, MA 02145
Phone: (617) 625-6600 ext. 5850
Official Website: Somerville Water and Sewer Department

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. Somerville’s separated storm sewer system discharges runoff directly to receiving waters without treatment, including the Mystic River, Alewife Brook, Miller’s River, and the Charles River watershed.

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

The Somerville Water and Sewer Department operates Somerville’s municipal separated storm sewer system collecting rainwater, snowmelt, and ice melt runoff and conveying this drainage without treatment directly to the Mystic River, Alewife Brook, Miller’s River, and the Charles River watershed. 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

The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority manages regional water supply protecting the Wachusett Reservoir, Quabbin Reservoir, and associated watersheds from contamination. Report clogged catch basins to Somerville Water and Sewer Department at (617) 625-6600 ext. 5850. 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 Somerville’s urban forest through root zone contamination, foliar spray injury, and soil structure degradation. The Somerville Parks and Recreation Department manages approximately thousands of street trees requiring protection from winter maintenance chemical damage.

Somerville Parks and Recreation Department
19 Walnut Street, Somerville, MA 02143
Phone: (617) 625-6600 ext. 2980
Official Website: Somerville 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

Somerville Office of Sustainability & Environment
50 Evergreen Avenue, Somerville, MA 02145
Phone: (617) 625-6600 ext. 2100
Official Website: Somerville Office of Sustainability & Environment

Professional Salting Services Throughout Somerville Neighborhoods

Union Square: High-density commercial and mixed-use district with numerous catch basins discharging to Miller’s River and the Mystic watershed. Requires calibrated salting to reduce chloride runoff and protect downstream water quality.

Davis Square: Historic sidewalks, mature street trees, and proximity to the Alewife Brook Greenway demand reduced application rates and use of calcium magnesium acetate to minimize vegetation damage and safeguard recreational pathways.

East Somerville: Residential area adjacent to the Mystic River, with storm drains leading directly to surface waters. Environmental compliance is critical to prevent salt contamination of the river ecosystem.

Winter Hill: Steep slopes and dense housing increase runoff velocity and risk of salt transport to storm drains. Focused anti-icing treatments and prompt snow removal are required to limit environmental loading.

Ten Hills: Bordering the Mystic River, Ten Hills’ proximity to sensitive riparian habitat necessitates minimized de-icer use, careful application away from storm inlets, and vegetation protection for riverbank plantings.

Spring Hill: Older brick sidewalks and historic tree canopy require specialized salting strategies to prevent infrastructure damage and maintain urban tree health.

Magoun Square: Mixed-use corridor with high pedestrian traffic and significant impervious surface area. Targeted brining and strict adherence to SWPPP protocols limit salt migration to nearby Alewife Brook.

West Somerville: Residential neighborhoods with tree-lined streets, parks, and playgrounds call for the use of salt-tolerant plantings and buffer zones to protect both vegetation and recreational spaces from salt exposure.