Professional Ice Management & Salting Services in Hingham

Hingham Ice Management & Salting Regulations

Hingham’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 Hingham’s drinking water sources, including Hingham Harbor, the Weir River, Accord Brook, and local reservoirs, as well as the town’s urban forest canopy from chemical contamination while maintaining legally-required pedestrian safety standards.

Hingham Department of Public Works – Water Division
25 Bare Cove Park Drive, Hingham, MA 02043
Phone: (781) 741-1430
Official Website: Hingham Department of Public Works

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. Hingham’s separated storm sewer system discharges runoff directly to receiving waters without treatment, including Hingham Harbor, the Weir River, and local brooks.

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

Hingham Department of Public Works – Water Division operates Hingham’s municipal separated storm sewer system, collecting rainwater, snowmelt, and ice melt runoff and conveying this drainage without treatment directly to Hingham Harbor, the Weir River, and Accord Brook. 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.

Weir River Water System
900 Main Street, Hingham, MA 02043
Phone: (781) 740-6695
Official Website: Weir River Water System

Weir River Water System manages regional water supply protecting Hingham Harbor, Weir River, and aquifer sources from contamination. Report clogged catch basins to Hingham Department of Public Works at (781) 741-1430. 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 Hingham’s urban forest through root zone contamination, foliar spray injury, and soil structure degradation. Hingham Parks and Recreation Department manages approximately thousands of street trees requiring protection from winter maintenance chemical damage.

Hingham Parks and Recreation Department
210 Central Street, Hingham, MA 02043
Phone: (781) 741-1464
Official Website: Hingham 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

Hingham Conservation Department
210 Central Street, Hingham, MA 02043
Phone: (781) 741-1445
Official Website: Hingham Conservation Department

Professional Salting Services Throughout Hingham Neighborhoods

Downtown Hingham: Historic business district with brick sidewalks, mature street trees, and proximity to Hingham Harbor necessitating careful use of calcium magnesium acetate alternatives and reduced salt application rates to protect water quality and historic infrastructure.

World’s End: Environmentally sensitive peninsula surrounded by Hingham Harbor and Weir River, requiring strict controls on de-icer use to prevent runoff into sensitive marine and estuarine habitats, as well as protection for conservation areas and walking trails.

Hingham Centre: Residential area with significant mature tree canopy and landscaped historic properties; requires precise application and use of salt-tolerant de-icers to protect root zones and minimize chemical exposure for heritage trees and gardens.

Bradley Woods: Coastal neighborhood adjacent to Hingham Harbor with high groundwater and storm drain density; operational focus on minimizing chloride discharge and preventing salt intrusion into shallow groundwater and harbor waters.

Liberty Pole: Suburban neighborhood with varied slopes and drainage patterns, presenting challenges for ice accumulation and runoff control; requires strategic plowing and targeted brine pretreatment to prevent stormwater pollution.

South Hingham: Includes Accord Pond and Weir River Headwaters, areas near drinking water wells and reservoirs; strict adherence to wellhead protection zone requirements is essential, including alternative de-icers and controlled snow disposal away from recharge areas.

Crow Point: Peninsula between Hingham Harbor and the Weir River with exposure to marine conditions; requires balancing existing coastal salinity with responsible de-icer use to prevent compounding salt impact on soil and native vegetation.

Fort Hill: Residential area adjacent to conservation land and wetlands; operational focus on vegetation protection, reduced application rates, and compliance with SWPPP requirements for large properties and parking areas.