Road Salt Reduction
Beaver Brook has been identified as impaired by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) and the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) for chloride concentrations that exceed state water quality standards. NHDES has completed a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) analysis to quantify pollutant reductions needed to meet the state water quality standards for chlorides.
In order to meet water quality standards, significant reductions of chloride loading were required. The Town of Derry has agreed to work towards the reduction of the amount of chlorides applied during snow and ice removal operations while maintaining the Town’s roadway system in accordance with the Town’s Winter Maintenance and Snow and Ice Control Policy. To address the Beaver Brook Chlorides TMDL the Town of Derry developed a Salt Reduction Plan (SRP) in August 2011 (with subsequent updates through 2018) that was incorporated in the 2011 Chloride Reduction Implementation Plan for Beaver Brook (NHDES 2011a). The Derry SRP identified a number of BMPs and implementation goals for reducing salt loads. In the SRP, the Town committed to providing winter maintenance to ensure the designated level of service to roadways, parking lots and sidewalks is maintained according to applicable state and local legislation while striving to minimize adverse impacts to the environment. These commitments are to be met by:
- Adhering to the procedures contained within the Salt Reduction Plan;
- Committing to ongoing winter maintenance staff training and education;
- Reporting fiscal year salt use data to the NH DES; and
- Re-evaluating the effectiveness of the Salt Reduction Plan as needed to incorporate new cost-effective technologies or changes in procedures.
NHDES estimates that nealry half of the salt used in the watershed is from commercial properties and their contractors. NHDES has developed the Green SnowPro Program to educate private contractors and property managers on improved technologies and best management practices that help reduce salt use while maintaining the same level of service, save money, and reduce liability.
DES Snow and Ice Removal for Business Owners
DES Road Salt and Water Quality
DES BMPs and Salt Use Minimization Efforts in Chloride Impaired Waters