Professional Ice Management & Salting Services in Westwood

Westwood Ice Management & Salting Regulations

Westwood'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 Westwood's drinking water sources, including the Neponset River watershed and Buckmaster Pond, as well as the town’s urban forest canopy from chemical contamination while maintaining legally-required pedestrian safety standards. This section details the regulatory framework and best practices for effective, compliant ice management in Westwood, MA.

Westwood Department of Public Works – Water Division
50 Carby Street, Westwood, MA 02090
Phone: (781) 251-2589
Official Website: Westwood Department of Public Works – Water 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. These regulations are critical for preventing groundwater contamination and ensuring the long-term integrity of Westwood's municipal water sources.

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. Westwood’s separated storm sewer system discharges runoff directly to receiving waters, including the Neponset River and adjacent wetlands, 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

Westwood Department of Public Works – Water Division operates Westwood’s municipal separated storm sewer system, collecting rainwater, snowmelt, and ice melt runoff and conveying this drainage without treatment directly to the Neponset River, Buckmaster Pond, and local wetlands. 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 Neponset Reservoir, Neponset River, and other critical water sources from contamination. Report clogged catch basins to Westwood Department of Public Works – Water Division at (781) 251-2589. 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 Westwood's urban forest through root zone contamination, foliar spray injury, and soil structure degradation. Westwood Parks and Recreation Department manages approximately thousands of street trees requiring protection from winter maintenance chemical damage. Preserving urban tree health is a priority for both public safety and environmental quality.

Westwood Parks and Recreation Department
240 Nahatan Street, Westwood, MA 02090
Phone: (781) 461-0070
Official Website: Westwood 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

Westwood Planning and Land Use Department
50 Carby Street, Westwood, MA 02090
Phone: (781) 251-2580
Official Website: Westwood Planning and Land Use Department

Professional Salting Services Throughout Westwood Neighborhoods

Islington Center: Commercial and mixed-use district adjacent to the East Street wetlands and near the Neponset River headwaters. Salting procedures must limit chloride runoff and avoid excessive application near storm drains to protect downstream water quality.

Westwood Center: Residential and civic hub with mature street trees and proximity to Buckmaster Pond. Extra care is taken to protect root zones of established trees and prevent de-icer migration into sensitive freshwater habitats.

High Street Corridor: Historic corridor featuring older homes, brick sidewalks, and historic street trees. Reduced salt rates and use of calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) alternatives are recommended to prevent masonry damage and preserve heritage landscape features.

Weatherbee Estates: Subdivision bordering conservation land and forested areas. Use of calibrated spreaders and buffer zones is critical to prevent salt intrusion into protected habitats and minimize impact on native vegetation.

East Street Neighborhood: Area near wellhead protection zones and the municipal water supply. De-icer storage and use are strictly controlled to safeguard groundwater recharge and prevent contamination of municipal wells.

University Avenue / Route 128 Business District: Commercial and corporate zone with extensive paved surfaces and high stormwater runoff potential. Implementation of Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs) and careful catch basin management are essential to minimize pollutant discharge to the Neponset River.

Pond Plain: Residential neighborhood adjacent to wetlands and tributaries leading to Buckmaster Pond. Salting operations avoid direct application near wetland boundaries and utilize salt-tolerant plantings in landscaped buffer zones.

Gay Street Area: Hilly residential district with sloped roadways and dense tree canopy. Targeted anti-icing pre-treatments and reduced salt usage are employed to protect both water quality and mature vegetation while ensuring winter safety on inclines.