Secondary containement system requirements for dry cleaners: PERC regulations 

PERC Pointer #4 - Secondary Containment Systems

PDF Version (315 KB)

Prevent spills!

What?

Any containers or tanks holding tetrachloroethylene (PERC), waste water or residue (e.g., sludge, lint and used filters) must have a secondary containment system.

Secondary containment systems must:

1. Be made of a PERC-impermeable material;
2. Cover at least the entire surface under the machine or container that holds PERC, waste water or residue; and
3. Be able to hold a volume equal to 110%^{Footnote 1} of the largest tank or storage container.

How?

Typically, this means placing the dry-cleaning machine, waste water bucket, sludge drum, waste water treatment system, etc. inside another container, such as a spill tray, pan, platform or pallet.

PERC-impermeable material can completely stop PERC from passing through. Rubber and bare concrete are not PERC-impermeable materials. Corrosion-resistant or stainless steel is a commonly used PERC-impermeable material. Contact your hazardous waste specialist to discuss PERC-impermeable secondary containment options.

Why?

Secondary containment systems provide a second line of defense against PERC leaks. This helps to:

• Reduce the risks of environmental contamination;
• Reduce time and cost of any PERC spill cleanup;
• Reduce workplace hazards; and
• Protect the facility and equipment from damage.

Please contact your regional Environment Canada office if you have any questions or concerns:

Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick
promo-alt-compro@ec.gc.ca

Quebec
perc-qc@ec.gc.ca

Ontario
promcon-on-compro@ec.gc.ca

Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Northwest Territories, Nunavut
perc-rpn-perc-pnr@ec.gc.ca

British Columbia, Yukon
perc-py-perc@ec.gc.ca

Submit your annual reports by April 30 to produits-products@ec.gc.ca.

Regulatory Compliance

Environment Canada undertakes regular inspections in order to verify compliance with the requirements of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 and its regulations. Investigations are conducted when there are reasonable grounds to believe that a violation has occurred. For further information, consult the Compliance and Enforcement Policy for CEPA.

This document is neither an official version of nor a substitute for the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 or the Tetrachloroethylene (Use in Dry Cleaning and Reporting Requirements) Regulations. Please refer to the Regulations to determine your full legal obligations. 

For information regarding reproduction rights, please contact Environment and Climate Change Canada's Inquiry Centre at 1-800-668-6767 (in Canada only) or 819-938-3860 or email to enviroinfo@ec.gc.ca.

Also available in French, Persian, Chinese (traditional) and Korean.

ISBN: 978-0-660-37837-4   Cat No: EN14-206/3-2021E-PDF