 DRY CLEANING OPERATIONS
APPLICATION
This code of practice for Dry Cleaning operations defines the requirements for managing waste discharged
directly or indirectly into a sewer connected to a sewage facility from dry cleaning businesses, or other
facilities employing solvent or chemical cleaning routines.
Definitions are included in GWR-CP-EX-DEF.
DISCHARGE REGULATIONS
An operator of a dry cleaning operation shall not discharge waste, which at the point of discharge into a
sewer contains:
- Tetrachloroethylene;
- petroleum solvents;
- exceeds the limits established in GWR-CP-EX-DEF for restricted wastes; or
- includes prohibited waste, special waste, stormwater, or uncontaminated water.
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An operator of a dry cleaning operation that generates wastewater containing tetrachloroethylene or
petroleum solvent shall either:
- Collect and transport the wastewater from the dry cleaning operation for off-site waste
management; or
- Install and maintain a solvent/water separator and holding tank in accordance with this Code
of Practice.
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Solvent/Water Separators and Holding Tanks
Solvent/water separator and holding tank installations must conform to the requirements of this Code of
Practice.
An operator of a dry cleaning operation shall not directly discharge wastewater from the solvent/water
separator to a GWR operated sewage facility
An operator of a dry cleaning operation must:
- Collect the wastewater discharged from a solvent/water separator into a transparent, solventcompatible,
holding tank with a containment capacity 25% larger than the total volume of the
solvent/water separator; and
- Allow the wastewater to stand undisturbed for a period of not less than 12 hours following
each operating date.
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An operator of a dry cleaning operation must check the contents of the holding tank after the specified
period of time has elapsed to determine whether the wastewater contains any visible residual solvent. If
there is no visible residual solvent in the holding tank, the contents may be discharged to the sewer.
If the holding tank contains any visible tetrachloroethylene or petroleum solvent after the specified period
of time, then the tetrachloroethylene or petroleum solvent must be separated and returned to the solvent
recovery system. After the removal of all visible solvent, the wastewater may be discharged to the sanitary
sewer.
Visual Inspections
An operator of a dry cleaning operation must:
- Visually inspect the solvent/water separator on a daily basis; and
- Clean the solvent/water separator at least once every seven (7) days to manufacturer’s standards.
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Spills and Leaks
An operator of a dry cleaning operation shall:
- install spill containment facilities in all chemical storage areas and around all dry cleaning
machines;
- block off all sewer drains within the containment area for chemical storage and dry cleaning
equipment to prevent any accidental discharge of solvent to a sewer;
- inspect all dry cleaning equipment for liquid leaks at least once per day.
- keep all equipment clean to ensure that leaks are visible.
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The following areas and items are to be checked for leaks:
- hose connections, unions, couplings and valves
- machine door gasket and seating
- filter head gasket and seating
- pumps
- base tanks and storage
- solvent/water separators
- filter sludge recovery
- distillation unit
- diverter valves
- saturated lint in lint baskets
- holding tanks
- cartridge filters
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An operator of a dry cleaning operation who detects any liquid leak from dry cleaning equipment or
chemical storage must repair the leak within 72 hours and must immediately prevent any discharge of
contaminants to a sewer.
RECORD KEEPING AND RETENTION
The following information shall be recorded in the record book:
- record of all inspections done by the operator, employees or other hired personnel;
- record of any liquid leaks detected and remedial action taken;
- record of solvent/water separator cleaning;
- record of holding tank cleaning and solvent transfer; and
- record of all other equipment maintenance and repair.
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Every dry cleaning operation must keep a record book on site for inspection with records from the previous two years and must be available to GWR Staff upon request.
REVISIONS
| Date |
Revision Number |
Revisions |
OPI |
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ORIGINAL (000) |
|
GSS |
| 25-Mar-04 |
001 |
Added revisions table |
GSS |
| 13-Nov-06 |
002 |
General review and re-number |
GSS |
| 10-Dec-07 |
003 |
Amended verbiage to reflect records book availability for inspection. |
MH |
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