Professional Ice Management & Salting Services in Waltham

Waltham Ice Management & Salting Regulations

Waltham'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 Waltham's drinking water sources, the Charles River, Cambridge Reservoir, and Hardy Pond, as well as the urban forest canopy from chemical contamination while maintaining legally-required pedestrian safety standards.

Waltham Water & Sewer Division
165 Lexington Street, Waltham, MA 02452
Phone: (781) 314-3810
Official Website: Waltham 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. Waltham's separated 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

Waltham Water & Sewer Division operates Waltham's municipal separated storm sewer system collecting rainwater, snowmelt, and ice melt runoff and conveying this drainage without treatment directly to the Charles River, Cambridge Reservoir, Hardy Pond, and associated tributaries. 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 the Quabbin Reservoir, Wachusett Reservoir, and local water sources from contamination. Report clogged catch basins to Waltham Water & Sewer Division at (781) 314-3810. 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 Waltham's urban forest through root zone contamination, foliar spray injury, and soil structure degradation. Waltham Parks and Recreation Department manages approximately thousands of street trees requiring protection from winter maintenance chemical damage.

Waltham Parks and Recreation Department
510 Moody Street, Waltham, MA 02453
Phone: (781) 314-3475
Official Website: Waltham 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

Waltham Planning Department
119 School Street, Waltham, MA 02451
Phone: (781) 314-3370
Official Website: Waltham Planning Department

Professional Salting Services Throughout Waltham Neighborhoods

Downtown Waltham (Moody Street, Central Square): Dense commercial district with high pedestrian traffic and proximity to the Charles River, requiring careful anti-icing application to minimize chloride runoff into receiving waters and protection of historic brick sidewalks and mature street trees.

Pigeon Hill: Residential area situated on higher elevation with varying slopes and significant tree canopy, necessitating targeted salting to prevent runoff into surrounding conservation lands and soil salt accumulation near roots.

Lakeview (Hardy Pond vicinity): Neighborhood adjacent to Hardy Pond, an important freshwater resource, demanding stringent limits on de-icer usage and implementation of best management practices to protect aquatic habitat from salt exposure.

Cedarwood: Suburban neighborhood with a mix of older trees and mid-century homes, requiring strategic salt application to safeguard both local vegetation and stormwater infrastructure feeding into the Charles River watershed.

Riverview: Area bordering the Charles River with increased risk of chemical migration into surface waters, requiring low-salt alternatives and frequent monitoring of storm drain outlets.

Prospectville: Encompasses steep grades and historic residential streets, where reduced application rates, pre-treatment brining, and enhanced drainage management help prevent salt wash-off during melt events.

The Lanes (Northeast Waltham): Close to Cambridge Reservoir and wellhead protection zones, requiring compliance with MassDEP storage restrictions and enhanced containment for bulk materials to prevent groundwater contamination.

South Side (Banks Square, South Street): Mixed residential and institutional area with several parks, necessitating careful coordination of salting routes to protect playgrounds, recreational fields, and planted medians from chemical injury and salt spray drift.