Abstract: In order to determine impervious zones of copper smelters, the important impervious zone, general impervious zone and simple impervious zone of typical copper smelters were defined with reference to Technical Guidelines for Environmental Impact Assessment - Groundwater Environment and Technical Code for Non-ferrousmetals Industry Environmental Protection Design and in combination with engineering practices. It was concluded that when the permeability of natural vadose zone in the geotechnical layer could not meet the requirements, the important impervious zone of copper smelters should be designed by GB 18597—2001 or GB/T 50934—2013 standard, where high density polyethylene impermeable membrane (HDPE membrane) 2 mm thick or anti-seepage concrete (grade P8) 250 mm thick was used as the main impervious layer. Similarly, the general zone should be designed with reference to Class Ⅱ site by GB 18599—2001 or GB/T 50934—2013 standard, where HDPE membrane 1.5 mm thick or anti-seepage concrete (grade P6) with a thickness of 250 mm was used as the main impervious layer. And the simple zone should be designed with reference to Class I site of general industrial solid waste by GB 18599—2001 standard.