Professional Ice Management & Salting Services in Stoughton

Stoughton Ice Management & Salting Regulations

Stoughton’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 Stoughton’s drinking water sources, including Pinewood Pond, Ames Long Pond, and the local groundwater aquifer, as well as the town’s urban forest canopy from chemical contamination while maintaining legally-required pedestrian safety standards.

Stoughton Department of Public Works - Water and Sewer Division
950 Central Street, Stoughton, MA 02072
Phone: (781) 344-2112
Official Website: Stoughton Department of Public Works - 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. Stoughton’s separated storm sewer system discharges runoff directly to receiving waters without treatment, including Beaver Brook, Pinewood Pond, and Ames Long Pond.

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

Stoughton Department of Public Works - Water & Sewer Division operates Stoughton’s municipal separated storm sewer system collecting rainwater, snowmelt, and ice melt runoff and conveying this drainage without treatment directly to Beaver Brook, Ames Long Pond, and Pinewood Pond. 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.

Stoughton Water and Sewer Division
950 Central Street, Stoughton, MA 02072
Phone: (781) 344-2112
Official Website: Stoughton Water and Sewer Division

Stoughton Water and Sewer Division manages the local water supply, protecting Pinewood Pond, Ames Long Pond, and the underlying aquifer from contamination. Report clogged catch basins to the Stoughton Water and Sewer Division at (781) 344-2112. 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 Stoughton’s urban forest through root zone contamination, foliar spray injury, and soil structure degradation. Stoughton Parks and Recreation Department manages approximately thousands of street trees requiring protection from winter maintenance chemical damage.

Stoughton Parks and Recreation Department
110 Rockland Street, Stoughton, MA 02072
Phone: (781) 341-1300 ext. 9244
Official Website: Stoughton 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

Stoughton Planning Department
10 Pearl Street, Stoughton, MA 02072
Phone: (781) 341-9635
Official Website: Stoughton Planning Department

Professional Salting Services Throughout Stoughton Neighborhoods

Downtown Stoughton: High pedestrian traffic and proximity to Beaver Brook require careful salt application to protect water quality. Sensitive infrastructure such as brick sidewalks and mature street trees necessitate reduced salt rates and use of calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) alternatives.

West Stoughton: Residential neighborhoods near Ames Long Pond and conservation areas demand stringent salt management protocols to prevent runoff into sensitive freshwater ecosystems and minimize vegetation damage.

South Stoughton (Hansen and Gibbons School Areas): School zones require rapid ice control for student safety while ensuring compliance with stormwater regulations to prevent de-icer transport into the local aquifer recharge zones.

Cedar Hill: Elevated topography and slopes increase runoff velocity, necessitating anti-icing strategies to reduce salt migration into low-lying wetlands and catch basins.

North Stoughton (along Central Street): Proximity to the Pinewood Pond wellfield means strict adherence to wellhead protection storage and application guidelines, including minimized salt use and immediate snow relocation from Zone II recharge areas.

Capen-Reynolds Neighborhood: Mature tree canopy and landscaped residential lots require salt-tolerant vegetation selections and mulch maintenance to mitigate winter chemical exposure.

Stoughton Junction Historic District: Historic brick and stone sidewalks, aged street trees, and high foot traffic necessitate careful selection of de-icing materials and application rates to preserve both infrastructure and vegetation.

Pratt’s Court Area: Dense storm drain network and proximity to Beaver Brook increase the risk of pollutant transport during thaw events, requiring precise calibration of salt spreaders and routine catch basin inspection.