Professional Ice Management & Salting Services in Quincy

Quincy Ice Management & Salting Regulations

Quincy's 12-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 Quincy's drinking water sources, including Quincy Bay, Town River Bay, Black Creek, Furnace Brook, and the urban forest canopy from chemical contamination while maintaining legally-required pedestrian safety standards.

Quincy Department of Public Works – Water and Sewer Division
55 Sea Street, Quincy, MA 02169
Phone: (617) 376-1910
Official Website: Quincy Department of Public Works – Water and 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. Quincy'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 Quincy Department of Public Works – Water and Sewer Division operates Quincy's municipal separated storm sewer system collecting rainwater, snowmelt, and ice melt runoff and conveying this drainage without treatment directly to Quincy Bay, Town River Bay, Furnace Brook, Black Creek, and adjacent coastal waters. 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

The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority manages regional water supply protecting the Quabbin Reservoir, Wachusett Reservoir, and local watersheds from contamination. Report clogged catch basins to Quincy Department of Public Works – Water and Sewer Division at (617) 376-1910. 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 Quincy's urban forest through root zone contamination, foliar spray injury, and soil structure degradation. Quincy Parks and Recreation Department manages approximately thousands of street trees requiring protection from winter maintenance chemical damage.

Quincy Parks and Recreation Department
One Merrymount Parkway, Quincy, MA 02170
Phone: (617) 376-1251
Official Website: Quincy 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

Quincy Conservation, Planning and Development Department
1305 Hancock Street, Quincy, MA 02169
Phone: (617) 376-1362
Official Website: Quincy Conservation, Planning and Development Department

Professional Salting Services Throughout Quincy Neighborhoods

Downtown Quincy & Quincy Center: High pedestrian and vehicular traffic require rapid anti-icing to protect water quality in Town River Bay. Historic brick sidewalks and mature street trees necessitate careful use of low-chloride de-icers and reduced application rates.

Merrymount & Wollaston: Coastal proximity to Quincy Bay and Wollaston Beach demands strict environmental compliance to prevent chloride discharge into marine habitats. Vegetation protection is vital for the neighborhood’s canopy and parklands.

Montclair & North Quincy: Dense residential areas with significant impervious surfaces and proximity to Black Creek and wetlands require calibrated application to minimize stormwater runoff impact.

Adams Shore & Houghs Neck: Peninsula neighborhoods surrounded by Quincy Bay call for environmentally responsible salting, prioritizing water resource protection and limited use of sodium-based products to reduce marine ecosystem impact.

West Quincy & Furnace Brook: Steep topography and drainage channels leading to Furnace Brook necessitate targeted application and regular monitoring to protect downstream aquatic habitats.

South Quincy: Mixed residential-commercial zones with high storm drain density near conservation areas require careful de-icer selection and storage to avoid groundwater contamination.

Squantum: Surrounded by salt marshes, tidal flats, and conservation land, this coastal community requires minimized chloride use and frequent catch basin checks to preserve sensitive wetland environments.

Germantown: Waterfront location along Town River Bay and presence of older infrastructure call for tailored application methods, focusing on preventing runoff into adjacent water bodies and safeguarding mature vegetation.