Professional Ice Management & Salting Services in Abington

Abington Ice Management & Salting Regulations

Abington'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 Abington's drinking water sources, Shumatuscacant River, Beaver Brook, and Great Sandy Bottom Pond, as well as the town’s urban forest canopy from chemical contamination while maintaining legally-required pedestrian safety standards.

Abington Water Department
366 Centre Avenue, Abington, MA 02351
Phone: (781) 878-0901
Official Website: Abington Water Department

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. Abington'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

The Abington Water Department operates Abington's municipal separated storm sewer system collecting rainwater, snowmelt, and ice melt runoff and conveying this drainage without treatment directly to the Shumatuscacant River, Beaver Brook, and Great Sandy Bottom 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.

Abington/Rockland Joint Water Works
366 Centre Avenue, Abington, MA 02351
Phone: (781) 878-0901
Official Website: Abington/Rockland Joint Water Works

Abington/Rockland Joint Water Works manages regional water supply protecting Great Sandy Bottom Pond and other sources from contamination. Report clogged catch basins to Abington Water Department at (781) 878-0901. 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 Abington's urban forest through root zone contamination, foliar spray injury, and soil structure degradation. Abington Parks and Recreation Department manages approximately thousands of street trees requiring protection from winter maintenance chemical damage.

Abington Parks and Recreation Department
500 Gliniewicz Way, Abington, MA 02351
Phone: (781) 982-2125
Official Website: Abington 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

Abington Planning Department
500 Gliniewicz Way, Abington, MA 02351
Phone: (781) 982-0069
Official Website: Abington Planning Department

Professional Salting Services Throughout Abington Neighborhoods

North Abington: Proximity to Great Sandy Bottom Pond and wetland complexes necessitates careful salt application rates to minimize chloride runoff impacting drinking water and aquatic habitats.

Island Grove: The historic neighborhood surrounding Island Grove Park requires reduced de-icer usage to protect the mature tree canopy and sensitive park vegetation, with special attention to minimizing foliar spray drift.

Center Abington: High pedestrian traffic and older infrastructure, including brick sidewalks and historic buildings, call for environmentally responsible de-icing materials and techniques to protect both structures and nearby storm drains.

South Abington: Residential areas near Beaver Brook and upland recharge zones require salting protocols that prevent groundwater contamination, including pre-wetting techniques and limited sodium chloride use.

Chestnut Street Corridor: Dense commercial and mixed-use zones demand precise anti-icing strategies to protect stormwater quality in adjacent tributaries and prevent excessive salt migration into the urban forest root zone.

Bedford Street/Route 18 Corridor: Major transportation route with high vehicle volume and frequent plow passes, necessitating frequent monitoring to avoid salt loading in catch basins and nearby surface waters.

Gliniewicz Way Area: Adjacency to parks, playgrounds, and school grounds requires the use of child- and pet-safe de-icers and careful tracking of application rates to prevent runoff into recreational green spaces.

Linwood Street and Adams Street Neighborhoods: Residential neighborhoods with significant tree canopy and older storm infrastructure, requiring targeted manual de-icing and regular inspection of drainage inlets to safeguard both vegetation and local water quality.