Professional Ice Management & Salting Services in Concord

Concord Ice Management & Salting Regulations

Concord’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 Concord’s drinking water sources, including the Assabet River, Nashoba Brook, Warner’s Pond, and White Pond, as well as the urban forest canopy from chemical contamination while maintaining legally-required pedestrian safety standards.

Concord Public Works – Water and Sewer Division
135 Keyes Road, Concord, MA 01742
Phone: (978) 318-3250
Official Website: Concord Water and 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. Concord’s separated storm sewer system discharges runoff directly to receiving waters without treatment, including the Assabet River, Nashoba Brook, and local ponds.

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

Concord Public Works – Water and Sewer Division operates Concord’s municipal separated storm sewer system collecting rainwater, snowmelt, and ice melt runoff and conveying this drainage without treatment directly to the Assabet River, Nashoba Brook, and connected water bodies. 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.

Concord Public Works – Water and Sewer Division
135 Keyes Road, Concord, MA 01742
Phone: (978) 318-3250
Official Website: Concord Water and Sewer Division

Concord Public Works – Water and Sewer Division manages regional water supply protecting the Assabet River watershed, Nagog Pond, and local groundwater sources from contamination. Report clogged catch basins to Concord Water and Sewer Division at (978) 318-3250. 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 Concord’s urban forest through root zone contamination, foliar spray injury, and soil structure degradation. Concord Parks and Recreation Department manages approximately thousands of street trees requiring protection from winter maintenance chemical damage.

Concord Parks and Recreation Department
90 Stow Street, Concord, MA 01742
Phone: (978) 287-1050
Official Website: Concord Parks and Recreation

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 mulch: 2-4 inch layer over root zones
• Select salt-tolerant species: Austrian pine, Japanese black pine, red oak, honey locust, rugosa rose

Concord Sustainability Division
141 Keyes Road, Concord, MA 01742
Phone: (978) 318-3240
Official Website: Concord Sustainability Division

Professional Salting Services Throughout Concord Neighborhoods

Historic Districts: Concord Center and Monument Square require careful application of chloride alternatives and reduced rates to protect historic brick sidewalks, granite curbing, and old-growth shade trees.

Riverfront Neighborhoods: Areas along Nashoba Brook and the Assabet River, including Elm Street and Old Marlboro Road, necessitate strict material control to minimize runoff into sensitive aquatic habitats and drinking water recharge zones.

Residential Zones Near Wellheads: West Concord and Thoreau Hills, located close to wellhead protection areas, demand adherence to secondary containment and zero on-site storage of bulk salt.

Pond-Adjacent Communities: White Pond and Warner’s Pond neighborhoods require minimized chloride application and runoff diversion strategies to protect freshwater quality and ecosystem health.

Conservation and Arboretum Areas: Estabrook Woods, Walden Woods, and neighborhoods bordering conservation land require non-chloride de-icers, strict application controls, and buffer maintenance to protect rare plant communities and wildlife corridors.

Commercial Corridors: Thoreau Street and Commonwealth Avenue business districts prioritize rapid de-icing for high pedestrian safety while implementing calibrated equipment and Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan compliance.

Hilly or Sloped Neighborhoods: Barrett’s Mill Road and Strawberry Hill present unique runoff management challenges, requiring the use of brine-based applications to reduce granular salt migration and prevent storm drain overloading.

Tree Canopy & Estate Areas: Sudbury Road and Sleepy Hollow regions feature mature street trees and landscaped properties, demanding mulch maintenance, salt-tolerant species selection, and regular monitoring for salt injury to preserve urban forest health.