Department of
Environmental Quality

Dry cleaners in Idaho are impacted by various environmental regulations depending on the type of solvent used in the cleaning process.

Air Quality Regulations

Dry cleaning operations use solvents and cleaners which may emit volatile organic compounds and hazardous air pollutants. As such, dry cleaning operations may be subject to air quality rules and regulations.

Dry cleaners that use perchloroethylene (perc) are subject to federal standards called National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAPs), which regulate 187 hazardous air pollutants from particular industrial sources.

Dry cleaners that use petroleum solvents may be subject to New Source Performance Standards (NSPS).

Dry cleaners that qualify as major sources under NESHAPs or NSPS are also subject to Clean Air Act Title V (Tier I) operating permits requirements.

Hazardous Waste Regulations

Dry cleaning operations typically generate hazardous waste and therefore must comply with the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Still bottoms, spent filters, and spent perc are a few examples of wastes that need to be handled and managed properly under RCRA. The type and number of requirements that must be complied with is based on the quantity and type of waste generated. 

Water Quality Regulations

Dry cleaning facilities can have an impact on Idaho's surface and ground waters and may be subject to federal water quality standards and the National Pollutant Elimination Discharge System (NPDES) program. Under this program, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates the discharge of pollutants into any water body of the U.S., including storm water sewer systems. Depending on the activities and services provided, a dry cleaning facility may need its own NPDES general permit for direct or indirect discharge. If the facility is located within a city that has an NPDES permit, it may be subject to the city's pretreatment and storm water requirements.