What follows is a brief overview of these programs and the benefits available if environmental due diligence reveals the existence of dry cleaning solvent contamination at a property. Florida Florida was the first the state in the Southeast to enact a Dry Cleaning Solvent Contamination Cleanup Program. In 1994, Florida's program was established to provide state-funded investigation and cleanup of dry cleaning solvent contamination from eligible facilities. Because of industry lobbying, the Florida statute specifically excludes cleanup of discharges of dry cleaning solvents at either uniform rental companies or linen supply companies. These registrations are joint registrations which include input not only from the dry cleaning operator, but also from the real property owner where the facility is located, if different from the dry cleaning operator.
Registration is only the initial step in the process.
Once an assessment performed at a facility reveals the existence of any contamination by dry cleaning solvents, however small, a dry cleaner may submit an application for eligibility to the DEP Cleanup Program. The second document, a Site Screening Report Form, focuses on the test results documenting the contamination of a site by dry cleaning solvents and other important related information, such as the proximity of the facility to drinking water wells. The highest level of contamination is reported in the Site Screening Report Form and, based on the overall information presented, reviewing officials at the Program provide a priority ranking used to determine how soon further assessment and cleanup by a state funded environmental contractor will occur. We have assisted a number of clients in completing and successfully submitting eligibility applications to the Program. Usually, only a single sample, either soil or groundwater, reflecting any detectable level of solvent contamination, is required to establish Program jurisdiction.