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In case of discharge reaching the sanitary sewer, immediately call the Industrial Pretreatment Program at (303) 651-8667. NOTICE State Requirements for Small and Large Quantity Hazardous Wastes Generators Per the CDPHE Hazardous Waste Division's 2005 requirements, all Longmont dry cleaners using PERC must provide letters from the City stating that the City is aware of and approves of treatment and disposition of wastewater. Contact the IP Program at (303) 651-8667 to schedule an inspection to obtain this letter. PERCHLOROETHYLENE (PERC)Nationally, 82% of Dry Cleaners use PERC (perchloroethylene). PERC is a hazardous material. Discharges of hazardous materials/wastes to the City's sanitary sewer is prohibited by the Municipal Code (Section 14.08.310). Discharges of PERC or PERC-containing wastewater to the sanitary sewer can seep into ground water or expose City sewer workers to hazardous environments. Long term discharges may result in requirements for expensive clean up operations when ground water or soil becomes contaminated. In case of discharge reaching the sanitary sewer, immediately call the Industrial Pretreatment Program at (303) 651-8667. PERC wastes, filters and still bottoms are required be taken offsite for hazardous waste disposal per RCRA requirements. Aqueous wastes containing PERC may be taken offsite for hazardous waste disposal or evaporated. Keep all manifests for hazardous wastes disposal on site and available for inspections for a minimum of 3 years. |
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The Municipal Code prohibits the discharge of any PERC or PERC-containing wastes to the sanitary sewer.
PERC IN WASTEWATER
PERC is soluable in water. Per RCRA, any water coming into contact with PERC is also hazardous waste. Aqueous wastes are generated during the washing cycles (from humidity, spot cleaning or water added to machine to dissolve detergents) and from condensers.
Aqueous wastes may be evaporated or taken offsite for hazardous wastes disposal.
Do not flush aqueous wastes to the sanitary sewer or ground.
Do not flush aqueous wastes to boilers as these may flush to the sanitary sewer or ground during blow down. PERC will also cause corrosion of your boiler.
Do not use injection wells for aqueous waste disposal (ground water contamination potential).
Monitor the amounts of aqueous waste generated. An increase may indicate a leak.
PERC will cause corrosion of metal pipes or equipment. When PERC comes in contact with copper pipes, PERC or the PERC-containing wastewater will be colored blue indicating high copper contamination. Discharge of blue wastewater would most likely exceed the local limits for copper (Municipal Code 14.08.312) - another reason PERC-containing wastes (whether it's blue or not) cannot be discharged to the drain.
The best way to protect the sewer is to cap all floor drains so that accidental spills cannot enter.
All Longmont Dry Cleaners that use PERC should have a Spill Response Plan to train employees in case of an accidental spill and/or entry into the sanitary sewer. The Plan should include:
chemical safety and storage (MSDS);
spill containment;
any special considerations for delivery of solvents and pick up of hazardous wastes;
spill cleanup - protecting the sewer, plugging floor drains;
emergency response - including emergency phone numbers for City; and
training of employees and documentation of training.
CDPHE Website: Compliance Guidebook for Colorado Dry Cleaners
Poster: Don't Discharge PERC Down the Drain (73 KB pdf file)
Can't download a PDF file? More information available for Acrobat Reader or call (303) 651-8667 for hardcopy of poster.
This page was updated
March 9, 2011
City of Longmont Public Works & Natural Resources
Pollution Prevention
