Professional Ice Management & Salting Services in Burlington

Burlington Ice Management & Salting Regulations

Burlington’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 Burlington’s drinking water sources, Vine Brook, Shawsheen River, and the Mill Pond Reservoir, as well as the urban forest canopy from chemical contamination while maintaining legally-required pedestrian safety standards.

Burlington Department of Public Works - Water & Sewer Division
25 Center Street, Burlington, MA 01803
Phone: (781) 270-1670
Official Website: Burlington Water & 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. Burlington’s separated storm sewer system discharges runoff directly to receiving waters without treatment, specifically to Vine Brook, Shawsheen River, and the Mill Pond Reservoir.

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 Burlington Department of Public Works - Water & Sewer Division operates Burlington’s municipal separated storm sewer system, collecting rainwater, snowmelt, and ice melt runoff and conveying this drainage without treatment directly to Vine Brook, Shawsheen River, and Mill Pond Reservoir. 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.

Burlington Water District
25 Center Street, Burlington, MA 01803
Phone: (781) 270-1670
Official Website: Burlington Water District

The Burlington Water District manages regional water supply protecting Mill Pond Reservoir and Vine Brook from contamination. Report clogged catch basins to Burlington Water & Sewer Division at (781) 270-1670. 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 Burlington’s urban forest through root zone contamination, foliar spray injury, and soil structure degradation. Burlington Parks and Recreation Department manages approximately thousands of street trees requiring protection from winter maintenance chemical damage.

Burlington Parks and Recreation Department
61 Center Street, Burlington, MA 01803
Phone: (781) 270-1695
Official Website: Burlington 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

Burlington Planning Department
29 Center Street, Burlington, MA 01803
Phone: (781) 270-1645
Official Website: Burlington Planning Department

Professional Salting Services Throughout Burlington Neighborhoods

Town Center/Downtown: High-traffic commercial core near Vine Brook with dense storm drain networks necessitating calibrated salt application, liquid brine alternatives, and strict pollution prevention to protect water quality and support pedestrian safety.

Pine Glen: Residential area adjacent to conservation land and near the Shawsheen River, requiring reduced salt usage and use of organic or calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) on sensitive slopes to minimize runoff into protected watersheds.

Fox Hill: Proximity to Mill Pond Reservoir and municipal wellhead protection zones demands de-icer selection with low chloride content and secondary containment for any salt storage, ensuring groundwater safety.

Burlington Highlands: Neighborhood with mature street trees and landscaped buffers, necessitating careful edge-of-pavement application and frequent monitoring for salt spray injury to urban vegetation.

Winnmere: Area near wetlands and Shawsheen River floodplain, requiring advanced anti-icing strategies and minimal granular salt use to prevent ecological disruption and groundwater contamination.

Francis Wyman: Mixed-use district with schools and athletic fields; salting protocols prioritize child-safe products and protect playing fields and adjacent tree canopy from saline runoff.

East Burlington: Commercial and industrial zones with large parking lots, subject to SWPPP requirements and enhanced stormwater controls to prevent high-volume chloride discharge to nearby brooks and wetlands.

Old Concord Road Corridor: Historic roadway lined by mature trees; de-icing operations emphasize reduced application rates, alternative materials, and protection of both historic infrastructure and street tree root zones.