Dry Cleaning

• tetrachloroethylene (PERC, PCE)
• petroleum solvents 

Dry cleaning practices commonly use tetrachloroethylene – also known as perchloroethylene, PCE or, most commonly, PERC. PERC is identified in the Canadian Environmental Protection Act as a toxic substance; it is believed to be harmful to public health and the environment.

Tetrachloroethylene usually enters the environment by evaporating into the air during use. It can also enter the air, soil, and water when the dry cleaning solution sludge is being disposed of or when leaks and evaporation occur at storage sites.

Exposure to high levels of tetrachloroethylene can cause eye, nose and skin irritation as well as dizziness, headache, nausea, liver and kidney damage. When introduced into the environment, it contaminates the soil and the water.

Tetrachloroethylene is therefore considered hazardous waste, and it must be dealt with appropriately. 

In many cases, companies require a waste discharge permit to discharge industrial or commercial wastes into the sewers. However, the CRD’s sewer use bylaw also provides for the discharge of certain types of waste under industry-specific codes of practice.

A code of practice is a regulatory document, developed by the Capital Regional District, which contains mandatory sanitary sewer discharge standards for specific industrial, institutional, or commercial sectors. Codes of practice set out minimum effluent treatment, equipment maintenance and record-keeping requirements for various sector operations. A business or organization operating under an approved code of practice does not require a waste discharge permit under the CRD sewer use bylaw.

The code of practice for dry cleaning operations (Schedule “J”) describes the rules as defined by the CRD for the disposal of liquid waste from dry cleaning operations into the sewer system. 

• Waste Discharge Assessment Form [PDF/543KB]
• Dry Cleaning Operations Guidebook [PDF/543KB]
• Code of Practice Schedule "J" [PDF/137KB]
• CRD Sewer Use Bylaw No. 2922 [PDF/610KB]

All wastewater generated in dry cleaning operation must be directed through treatment works before entering the sewer. Operators of a dry cleaning operation must not discharge wastewater into the sewer that contains:

• prohibited or restricted
• tetrachloroethylene in concentrations greater than 0.10 mg/L
• tetrachloroethylene -contaminated residue
• uncontaminated water in quantities greater than two cubic meters per day
• stormwater (without a permit or authorization)
• screened solids

A dry cleaning operations that has come in contact with tetrachloroethylene from a dry cleaning process into a sewer must, in addition to the dry cleaning machine's integral tetrachloroethylene-water separator install and maintain:

• a second tetrachloroethylene -water separator that recovers tetrachloroethylene from the wastewater exiting the integral tetrachloroethylene -water separator.
• an initial activated carbon filter that removes the tetrachloroethylene from the wastewater exiting the second tetrachloroethylene-water separator.
• a monitor-alarm that automatically shuts down treatment and stops wastewater entering the sewer when the initial activated carbon filter becomes saturated.
• a second activated carbon filter installed in-line after the initial filter and past the monitor-alarm.

Location of Treatment Works:

• Must be readily and easily accessible for inspection, maintenance, repair or replacement.
• Must not be in a confined space.

A dry cleaning operator must operate and maintain dry cleaning machine(s) as specified in manufacturer's instructions.

Replacement of Carbon Filters

Both initial and second activated carbon filters must both replaced:

• at least once a year (every 12 months).
• after expiration date.
• when monitor-alarm has been triggered.
• when analytic data (as outlined in Schedule J, Section 2.9) indicated a concentration of tetrachloroethylene from the second activated carbon filter is greater than or equal to 0.10 mg/L.

Install a sampling point:

• at the outlet of the treatment works but upstream of the discharge point for other wastes.
• located so that it is easily accessible for inspection and sampling. 

• Records must be kept for all inspection, repair, maintenance or replacement activities related to the treatment works, including:
  • date of activity
  • description of activity
  • date and amount, size and type of activated carbon removed and replaced
  • dates and volumes of materials removed
• Record of disposal or recycling services used for off-site waste management for disposal of wastewater and tetrachloroethylene-contaminated residue, including:
  • name and address for disposal/recycling company/facility receiving any material removed
  • type of material
  • quantity of material
  • date that material is transferred
• Maintain all records for a period of five years and readily available for inspection.
• Operation and maintenance manuals for all equipment used in treatment works must be kept at dry cleaning operation.

• Have a spill response plan kept on site in a conspicuous location.
• Spill prevention equipment and supplies identified in the spill response plan must include tetrachloroethylene-resistant drain plugs that are readily available to seal all floor drains that wastewater or residue may enter in the event of a spill.
• Ensure that all spill prevention/clean-up equipment and supplies are always kept in stock and readily available for use.
• In the event of a spill, the spill response plan must be carried out. 

• Never pour any fluids, wash/rinse water, wastewater or spills into storm drains, ditches, parking lots or outdoor work areas.
• When hosing or washing equipment or surfaces outside, do not let the runoff water enter the storm drain.
• Regularly inspect and maintain any parking lot catch basins.
• Store waste products and outdoor containers under covered areas with appropriate spill containment. Inspect after a rainstorm to make sure no materials leaked out.
• Educate staff about spill prevention and response and have spill plan and kit available.
• Regularly inspect and maintain any parking lot catch basins, cleaning them out at least once per year.