Professional Ice Management & Salting Services in Duxbury

Duxbury Ice Management & Salting Regulations

Duxbury'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 Duxbury’s drinking water sources, including Kingston Bay, the Bluefish River, Island Creek, and the town’s groundwater aquifers, as well as the urban forest canopy from chemical contamination while maintaining legally-required pedestrian safety standards.

Duxbury Water & Sewer Department
878 Tremont Street, Duxbury, MA 02332
Phone: (781) 934-1100
Official Website: Duxbury Water & Sewer 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. Duxbury’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 Duxbury Water & Sewer Department operates Duxbury’s municipal separated storm sewer system, collecting rainwater, snowmelt, and ice melt runoff and conveying this drainage without treatment directly to Kingston Bay, the Bluefish River, Island Creek, and adjacent wetland systems. 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.

Duxbury Water & Sewer Department
878 Tremont Street, Duxbury, MA 02332
Phone: (781) 934-1100
Official Website: Duxbury Water & Sewer Department

Duxbury Water & Sewer Department manages the town’s water supply, protecting local aquifers, wells, and surface water resources from contamination. Report clogged catch basins to Duxbury Water & Sewer Department at (781) 934-1100. 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 Duxbury’s urban forest through root zone contamination, foliar spray injury, and soil structure degradation. Duxbury Parks & Recreation Department manages approximately thousands of street trees requiring protection from winter maintenance chemical damage.

Duxbury Parks & Recreation Department
22 Washington Street, Duxbury, MA 02332
Phone: (781) 934-7034
Official Website: Duxbury Parks & 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

Duxbury Planning Department
878 Tremont Street, Duxbury, MA 02332
Phone: (781) 934-1100
Official Website: Duxbury Planning Department

Professional Salting Services Throughout Duxbury Neighborhoods

Village Center: High pedestrian activity and historic infrastructure, including brick sidewalks and mature street trees, require reduced application rates and use of calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) alternatives to prevent vegetation damage and protect groundwater recharge areas.

Snug Harbor: Proximity to Kingston Bay and marine habitats necessitates minimized chloride discharge, careful storm drain management, and compliance with local water quality protection policies. Liquid brine treatments are preferred to limit salt scatter into sensitive coastal areas.

Tinkertown: Residential area with significant tree canopy and wetlands; requires precision salting to avoid root zone contamination and runoff into Island Creek and associated wetlands. Regular monitoring of application rates protects both vegetation and water resources.

South Duxbury: Coastal exposure and sandy soils increase risk of salt migration to groundwater; use of pre-wetting techniques and salt alternatives is emphasized to protect local aquifers and prevent excessive infiltration.

Bay Farm: Adjacent to conservation lands and salt marshes, this neighborhood demands strict runoff control, low-salt application, and designated snow storage away from stormwater outfalls to safeguard the Duxbury Bay estuary ecosystem.

North Duxbury: Near wellhead protection zones and town wells; secondary containment and storage best practices are enforced for any de-icing materials. All snow removal and salting in this area must comply with wellhead protection protocols under state law.

Powder Point: Barrier beach location with direct exposure to Kingston Bay; high winds and salt spray from the ocean limit traditional salting. Non-chloride de-icers and mechanical abrasion are used to reduce environmental impact on fragile dune vegetation and wildlife habitats.

Millbrook: Contains portions of the Bluefish River watershed and sensitive floodplain habitats, requiring minimized use of sodium chloride and frequent inspection of catch basins to prevent salt-laden runoff from entering the river system.