Professional Ice Management & Salting Services in Easton

Easton Ice Management & Salting Regulations

Easton'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 Easton's drinking water sources, Queset Brook, Shovel Shop Pond, Old Pond, and the Furnace Village Pond watershed, as well as the community's urban forest canopy from chemical contamination while maintaining legally-required pedestrian safety standards.

Easton Department of Public Works – Water Division
130 Center Street, Easton, MA 02356
Phone: (508) 230-0850
Official Website: Easton DPW 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.

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. Easton's separated storm sewer system discharges runoff directly to receiving waters without treatment, including Queset Brook, Shovel Shop Pond, and the Taunton River watershed.

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

Easton Department of Public Works – Water Division operates Easton's municipal separated storm sewer system collecting rainwater, snowmelt, and ice melt runoff and conveying this drainage without treatment directly to Queset Brook, Shovel Shop Pond, and Furnace Village Pond. 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.

Easton Department of Public Works – Water Division
130 Center Street, Easton, MA 02356
Phone: (508) 230-0850
Official Website: Easton DPW Water Division

Easton DPW Water Division manages the local water supply, protecting Queset Brook, Old Pond, Shovel Shop Pond, and Furnace Village Pond from contamination. Report clogged catch basins to Easton Department of Public Works – Water Division at (508) 230-0850. 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 Easton's urban forest through root zone contamination, foliar spray injury, and soil structure degradation. Easton Parks and Recreation Department manages approximately thousands of street trees requiring protection from winter maintenance chemical damage.

Easton Parks and Recreation Department
15 Barrows Street, Easton, MA 02356
Phone: (508) 238-3084
Official Website: Easton 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

Easton Planning & Economic Development Department
136 Elm Street, Easton, MA 02356
Phone: (508) 230-0630
Official Website: Easton Planning & Economic Development Department

Professional Salting Services Throughout Easton Neighborhoods

Historic Village Centers: North Easton Village and South Easton Village feature historic brick sidewalks, stone walls, and mature street trees, requiring calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) alternatives and reduced de-icer application rates to prevent infrastructure and vegetation damage.

Residential Watershed Areas: Five Corners and Furnace Village neighborhoods are located near Furnace Village Pond and Shovel Shop Pond, making water quality protection essential. Precision salting minimizes chloride runoff into sensitive freshwater habitats and public water supplies.

Commercial Corridors: Foundry Street (Route 106) and Depot Street (Route 123) experience high traffic volumes and dense storm drain networks. Calibrated salt application and liquid brine pre-treatment reduce total chemical use while protecting nearby catch basins and watercourses.

Parks and Recreation Zones: Borderland State Park and surrounding residential developments require specialized ice management to protect conservation lands, forested areas, and rare plant habitats from salt exposure.

Wetlands and Conservation Districts: The Morse Village and South Easton neighborhoods include areas adjacent to wetlands and protected open space, necessitating careful material selection and runoff controls to avoid ecological impacts.

School and Institutional Campuses: Oliver Ames High School and Easton Middle School facilities must balance pedestrian safety with salt-sensitive landscaping, athletic fields, and proximity to sensitive water bodies.

Sloped and Drainage-Challenged Streets: The Bay Road corridor and hillside sections near Wheaton Farm Conservation Area present challenges for ice management due to steep grades and rapid runoff, requiring anti-icing strategies and strategic salt placement to prevent material migration into waterways.

Newer Subdivisions: Suburban neighborhoods such as Chestnut Knoll and Tanglewood Estates have extensive landscaped common areas, requiring targeted salt use and regular monitoring to prevent damage to turf, shrubs, and tree roots.