Theme: 10. Characterization, Fate and Transport

Topic Area: 10i. Improvements in Site Data Collection, Data Management, and Data Visualization

Formatted Title:

Practical Applications of Cloud-Based Database Dashboards at a Major Superfund Site

Background/Objectives:

Background/Objectives. The Site is a former pesticide manufacturing site in Los Angeles, California. Groundwater and soil are impacted with a commingled chlorinated solvent groundwater plume over a mile in extent. A several hundred gallon per minute groundwater extraction, treatment and reinjection system has been installed and will remain operational over a period of decades. In addition, soil vapor extraction is being conducted at the Site in preparation for the operation of an electrical resistance heating remedy. Altogether over 300,000 pounds of VOCs have been removed across multiple programs. This presentation will demonstrate how data are used to communicate with clients and regulators to convey regular updates more effectively on project status, reduce the number of regular deliverables, track project compliance, and reduce project costs. Real-time data acquisition and visualization are the key factors that make this process possible.

Approach/Activities:

Approach/Activities. How often are you wondering if your treatment system is running? Are your discharge results in compliance? Is there an issue with one of the key parameters that you track to ensure your remediation system is operating correctly? Tracking treatment system operation can be a challenge as systems are often controlled by a local onsite computer that is only accessed by trained personnel during normal business hours. While these institutional limitations ensure security of project information, it can also lock out access to system data that are often requested by clients and regulators.

Most treatment systems have stringent cleanup standards and discharge limits. This Site is no exception and ensuring that key personnel are informed in a timely fashion through the use of real-time dashboard analytics on key parameters such as effluent sample results, process flow rates, water quality parameters, system uptime, volumes treated for groundwater or soil vapor, and mass removal. For time-sensitive information such as an effluent exceedance that must be communicated to regulators within 24 hours, an auto-generated email alert is sent out as soon as laboratory data are populated into the database.

Results/Lessons Learned:

Results/Lessons Learned. There are a number of tools available to satisfy client and regulator demands for routine updates of key treatment system information. Implementation of a cloud-based database, GIS mapping, and an online data dashboard has successfully reduced project costs and the amount of consultant touches needed to access and disseminate information. Anytime access to the project dashboard, plus auto-generated email notifications and automated weekly/monthly/quarterly data outputs ensure timely delivery of information simultaneously across multiple programs.

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Mark Packard