Professional Ice Management & Salting Services in Arlington

Arlington Ice Management & Salting Regulations

Arlington’s 24-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 Arlington’s drinking water sources, including the Mystic River, Spy Pond, and Upper and Lower Mystic Lakes, as well as the urban forest canopy from chemical contamination while maintaining legally-required pedestrian safety standards.

Arlington Water & Sewer Division
51 Grove Street, Arlington, MA 02476
Phone: (781) 316-3301
Official Website: Arlington Water & Sewer Division

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. Arlington’s separated storm sewer system discharges runoff directly to receiving waters without treatment, specifically the Mystic River, Alewife Brook, Spy Pond, and the Mystic Lakes.

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

Arlington Water & Sewer Division operates Arlington’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, Spy Pond, and Upper and Lower Mystic Lakes. All de-icing chemicals applied to streets, sidewalks, parking lots, and driveways flow untreated into these 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 the Quabbin Reservoir, Wachusett Reservoir, and local watersheds from contamination. Report clogged catch basins to Arlington Water & Sewer Division at (781) 316-3301. 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 Arlington’s urban forest through root zone contamination, foliar spray injury, and soil structure degradation. Arlington Parks and Recreation Department manages approximately thousands of street trees requiring protection from winter maintenance chemical damage.

Arlington Parks and Recreation Department
422 Summer Street, Arlington, MA 02474
Phone: (781) 316-3880
Official Website: Arlington 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

Arlington Department of Planning and Community Development
730 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA 02476
Phone: (781) 316-3090
Official Website: Arlington Department of Planning and Community Development

Professional Salting Services Throughout Arlington Neighborhoods

East Arlington: Close proximity to Alewife Brook and Mystic River requires strict material control to prevent chloride runoff into sensitive water bodies. High-density residential areas necessitate targeted application to minimize urban tree canopy stress.

Arlington Center: Historic district with brick sidewalks and mature street trees necessitates reduced application rates and consideration of calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) alternatives to protect infrastructure and vegetation.

Arlington Heights: Elevated terrain and sloping streets increase runoff velocity toward Spy Pond and local wetlands, demanding careful calibration of anti-icing materials to prevent excessive migration into aquatic habitats.

Jason Heights: Steep road gradients and proximity to Robbins Farm Park require ice management strategies that balance public safety and prevent salt-laden runoff from entering parkland soils and groundwater recharge areas.

Brattle Square: Commercial corridors with high pedestrian traffic adjacent to the Lower Mystic Lake shoreline require rapid response to ice formation, employing liquid brine treatments to reduce granular salt use and protect lake water quality.

Morningside: Residential neighborhood with extensive mature tree canopy and infiltration-prone soils demands minimal salt applications and enhanced use of physical de-icing methods to protect vegetation and soil health.

Turkey Hill: Elevated residential zone with drainage patterns leading toward wetlands and conservation land, necessitating special consideration for stormwater management and selection of environmentally preferable de-icers.

Kelwyn Manor: Neighborhood adjacent to Spy Pond and the Mystic River, where water quality protection is paramount. Operations focus on limiting chloride discharge and employing best management practices for salt storage and application near the shoreline.