Dry Cleaners: Compliance Resources

Air

Permits by Rule (PBRs)

• Industry-Specific Permits by Rule for Dry Cleaners

MACT Requirements for PERC Facilities

If you use perchloroethylene (PERC or PCE) solvents, you must meet federal MACT standards. If you run a co-located facility constructed after December 21, 2005, you cannot use perc solvents.

Dry cleaning machines installed after December 21, 2005 must:

• Be non-venting.
• Have a refrigerated condenser.
• Have a secondary carbon adsorber.

You must also:

• Every month, inspect for leaks using a halogenated hydrocarbon leak detector or perc gas analyzer.
• Every two weeks, check for perceptible perc leaks while the system is running.
  • If you buy more than 140 gallons of perc per year, check weekly.

See the following for more information:

• EPA's 40 CFR Part 63, Subpart M in HTML

Requirements for Petroleum Facilities in the Dallas-Fort Worth Area

Dry cleaning facilities in Collin, Dallas, Denton, and Tarrant counties using a hydrocarbon dry cleaning solvent manufactured through petroleum distillation, such as naphtha and Stoddard solvent, must meet requirements in Title 30, Texas Administrative Code Chapter 115 (30 TAC 115), Subchapter F, Division 4.

• Weekly Hydrocarbon Dry Cleaner Leak Inspections and Hydrocarbon Dry Cleaner Service and Repair Log – Use this log to document weekly leak inspections and that required repairs have been completed within three working days.
• 30 TAC 115 Subchapter F, Division 4

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Water

Drinking Water

You may be a public water system (PWS) if you have a private water source. See the resources below for more information.

• Am I a Public Water System?
• You're a Public Water System…Now What? (RG-496) – a guide for rules and regulations that apply to public water systems, especially those who may have recently learned they own a PWS.

Wastewater

There are multiple options for handling wastewater associated with drycleaners, including septic systems, permitted discharge, industrial re-use, and pump-and-haul disposal.

On-Site Sewage Facilities (OSSFs)

OSSFs, also called septic systems, can be used for toilet and kitchen wastewater only. Process water is prohibited. Always check with your OSSF permitting authority for local requirements.

• Basics for Septic Systems

Permitted Discharge

If you are connected to a sewer system, contact your local POTW before discharging to their system. If you are not connected to a POTW, you may containerize your wastewater for disposal, apply for an industrial reuse authorization, or apply for an individual permit.

• Instructions and Application to Use Industrial Reclaimed Water
• Industrial Wastewater Discharges: The Permit Process

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Waste

• Industrial and Hazardous Waste Rules and Regulations for Small-Quantity Generators (RG-234) 
• Common Questions on Empty Waste Containers (RG-480) 
• Waste Designation Decision Matrix

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General Compliance Tools

• Dry Cleaner: Am I Regulated?
• Compliance Guide for Dry Cleaners (RG-479)
• Dry Cleaning Facility Registration Form (TCEQ-20092) 
• Dry Cleaning Drop Station Registration Form (TCEQ-20207) 
• Dry Cleaner Solvent Distributor Report Form (TCEQ-20093) 
• Dry Cleaner Remediation Program
• Search for a Registered Dry Cleaner Facility
• EPA Plain English Guide for Perc Cleaners
• Garment and Textile Care Publications from the EPA
• EPA Dry Cleaning Emission Standards
• Delinquent Fees

Small Business and Local Government Assistance

TCEQ's Small Business and Local Government Assistance section offers free, confidential help to small businesses and local governments working to follow state environmental regulations. Call us at 800-447-2827 or visit our webpage at TexasEnviroHelp.org.

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