| New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services
Environmental Fact Sheet Snow Disposal Guidelines Introduction During each snowfall season from November to April, the Department of Environmental Services receives many complaints related to snow disposal into and/or near surface water. There are several different concerns regarding disposal of snow cleared from streets and parking lots. These can be initially categorized as aesthetic concerns, such as minimizing the visibility of debris and huge snow piles, and environmental concerns, such as protection of groundwater quality, surface water quality, and aquatic life. The environmental effects of disposed snow result from high levels of sodium chloride, sand, debris and contaminants from automobile exhaust. The method of disposal determines the potential environmental effects: disposal in surface water; adjacent to surface water; or away from surface water where meltwater will discharge to groundwater. Each disposal alternative poses different problems. Chlorides, metals, and other such contaminants are a threat to groundwater, and to some extent, surface water. Sand and silt threaten aquatic life in surface water but pose no threat to groundwater. Debris can create a water quality problem if dumped with snow into surface water. Recommended Guidelines for Snow Disposal The following guidelines reflect the view of DES that the greatest long-term harm would occur from contamination of groundwater, but that surface water must also be protected, and that aesthetic concerns cannot take a higher priority than the environmental concerns.
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