Where is snow transported in large cities? 
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Huge snowdrifts on roadsides, in yards and on sidewalks make life in the city much more difficult. They interfere with the passage of cars, lead to accidents, impede the movement of pedestrians, and also flood streets and houses when a thaw sets in. Today, you can organize snow removal either with the help of a specialized company or on your own. But you need to take into account that for dumping such cargo in the wrong place you can get a very impressive fine.
Points for collection and disposal of urban snowdrifts
Relatively recently, in Moscow and other large cities, snow was dumped directly into rivers along with the chemicals it contained, oil products, garbage, stones, pieces of asphalt and sand. Today they act differently. Street snowdrifts are classified as waste, the disposal of which must be carried out in specially designated areas.
Snow polygons
They are a huge landfill where snow brought by cars is stored without preliminary cleaning or any treatment. It melts naturally under the influence of the sun’s heat. The recycling process usually continues until mid-summer, and in some cases until autumn.
Snow polygons are created by the city administration with mandatory approval by natural supervision authorities. As a rule, such sites are located away from residential buildings and agricultural lands. Each landfill has minimal amenities:
- slope for drainage of melt water;
- hard earthen covering;
- continuous embankment around the perimeter;
- drainage system;
- drainage of wastewater into storm sewers.
Such landfills are constantly maintained. In the summer, they are cleared of the accumulation of debris, branches and stones that were brought along with the snowdrifts. Soil samples are taken annually to check the level of soil contamination. If there is a high concentration of harmful substances on the territory, comprehensive remediation is carried out. First, the top layer of soil is cut off and removed. After this, the site is filled with clean sand and work resumes.
Snow melting points
They are a modern alternative to snow dumps. Only the snowdrifts here do not melt naturally, but are forced to melt. Such points have sophisticated equipment and impressive performance. It takes no more than 3-5 minutes to dispose of the contents of a standard bunker truck!
Snow melting stations are located permanently. When entering the territory, each vehicle undergoes a measurement of cargo volume using a laser. Next, the machine dumps the brought snow into a receiving hopper, where its phased disposal begins:
- The frozen snowdrift is crushed into small fragments by giant crushers.
- The processed mass enters a special snow-melting installation, where it undergoes forced melting when mixed with hot water or under heat.
- Melt water is cleared of large debris and enters a sand trap, which separates dirt, sand and small gravel.
- The melted snow is sent through the city sewerage system to the treatment plant, mixing with other wastewater along the way.
- After undergoing multi-stage cleaning and disinfection, the melt water is discharged into the river.
Snow melting points today operate in almost all major cities. Each of them is capable of receiving about 800 cars per day. Since the stations are located inside the city, snow disposal takes less time and costs less.
Responsibility for violating the rules
The rules for snow disposal, terms of its removal and other requirements are clearly defined in SanPiN 2.1.7.3550-19 and GOST R 50597-2017. Removing snowdrifts to places not designated for this purpose is strictly prohibited by the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation. The fine for violation can reach 500,000 rubles!
Snow disposal at landfills and snow melting points is a paid service. To transport cargo there, you must first conclude an agreement and purchase coupons for a certain volume. If you do not have the time and resources to directly cooperate with snow dumps and snow melting stations, it is better to contact a specialized company.
A good contractor will provide comprehensive removal of snowdrifts, including clearing the area, loading and delivering them to disposal sites without the risk of getting a fine or other troubles.