Drayton Valley Dry Cleaning Facility Fined $5,000 For Illegal Storage of Tetrachloroethylene Waste

DRAYTON VALLEY, Alta. -- May 17, 2010 -- A local dry cleaning company operating under the name THE Cleaners (789363 Alberta Ltd.), pleaded guilty in Alberta Provincial Court on March 23, 2010, to one count under the Tetrachloroethylene (Use in Dry Cleaning and Reporting Requirements) Regulations of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999.

Tetrachloroethylene, also known as perchloroethylene, and commonly called PERC, is a recognized dry-cleaning solvent and is designated as a toxic substance under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999.  The company was fined $5,000.00 for not storing PERC waste in closed containers and for not having chemical-impermeable floor drain plugs readily available in the event of a spill.

$4500.00 of the fine was directed to the Environmental Damages Fund. The Environmental Damages Fund, is administered by Environment Canada, and was created in 1995 to provide the courts and companies with an option to direct monetary penalties and settlements to investments in the repair of the actual harm done to the environment.  It helps ensure polluters take responsibility for their actions and enforces the “polluter pays” principle.

The investigation that led to the conviction was launched by Environment Canada’s Enforcement Branch in June 2009, as a result of a public complaint.

Further information on the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 and the Environmental Damages Fund may be found at www.ec.gc.ca/cepaRegistryand www.ec.gc.ca/edf-fde.