Professional Ice Management & Salting Services in Kingston

Kingston Ice Management & Salting Regulations

Kingston’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 Kingston’s drinking water sources, including Silver Lake, Jones River, Kingston Bay, and the town’s urban forest canopy from chemical contamination, while maintaining legally-required pedestrian safety standards.

Kingston Water Department
26 Evergreen Street, Kingston, MA 02364
Phone: (781) 585-0504
Official Website: Kingston 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. Kingston’s separated storm sewer system discharges runoff directly to receiving waters without treatment, including the Jones River, Kingston Bay, and Silver Lake.

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 Kingston Water Department operates Kingston’s municipal separated storm sewer system, collecting rainwater, snowmelt, and ice melt runoff and conveying this drainage without treatment directly to the Jones River, Kingston Bay, and other local receiving waters. All de-icing chemicals applied to streets, sidewalks, parking lots, and driveways flow untreated into these water bodies.

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.

Kingston Water Department
26 Evergreen Street, Kingston, MA 02364
Phone: (781) 585-0504
Official Website: Kingston Water Department

The Kingston Water Department manages regional water supply, protecting Silver Lake, Jones River, and Kingston Bay from contamination. Report clogged catch basins to Kingston Water Department at (781) 585-0504. 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 Kingston’s urban forest through root zone contamination, foliar spray injury, and soil structure degradation. Kingston Parks and Recreation Department manages approximately thousands of street trees requiring protection from winter maintenance chemical damage.

Kingston Parks and Recreation Department
33A Summer Street, Kingston, MA 02364
Phone: (781) 585-0533
Official Website: Kingston Parks and Recreation Department

Visible Salt Injury Symptoms:

• Branch dieback starting at twig tips: Early sign of chronic salt exposure in trees and shrubs.
• Yellowing or browning of evergreen needles: Salt spray and uptake can cause needle discoloration and drop.
• Delayed spring bud break and reduced leaf size: Soil salt accumulation hinders normal tree development.
• Bark splitting and crown thinning: Severe or repeated salt stress leads to structural decline.

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

Kingston Planning Department
26 Evergreen Street, Kingston, MA 02364
Phone: (781) 585-0549
Official Website: Kingston Planning Department

Professional Salting Services Throughout Kingston Neighborhoods

Downtown Kingston: High pedestrian traffic and proximity to the Jones River require reduced salt application rates and frequent monitoring to minimize chloride runoff into sensitive aquatic habitats.

Rocky Nook: Coastal location adjacent to Kingston Bay with permeable soils and storm drain outfalls demands the use of environmentally responsible de-icers and minimal salt to protect shellfish beds and marine ecosystems.

Indian Pond Estates: Residential area near Silver Lake and public wellheads, requiring strict adherence to wellhead protection protocols and careful management of salt storage and use to safeguard drinking water quality.

Kingston Historic District: Features brick sidewalks, mature street trees, and heritage landscapes needing reduced de-icer rates, calcium magnesium acetate alternatives, and special care to prevent infrastructure and vegetation damage.

Jones River Waterfront: Riparian corridor with direct drainage to the river, necessitating buffer zones and limited use of chloride-based de-icers to prevent aquatic toxicity and eutrophication.

Smiths Lane Neighborhood: Contains dense tree canopy and is adjacent to conservation lands, requiring protective measures for vegetation and minimized salt application to avoid ecosystem disruption.

Kingston Elementary and Middle School Area: High-traffic institutional zone with large parking lots and playgrounds, demanding calibrated anti-icing, frequent runoff monitoring, and education on proper application methods to ensure child safety and environmental compliance.

Ah-De-Nah Conservation Area Vicinity: Environmentally sensitive wetland and woodland habitat, where any salting must be strictly controlled to prevent runoff into conservation areas and maintain habitat quality for rare species.