Customized Data Management for Solid Waste Landfill Compliance Monitoring, 1997 Environmental Conference Proceedings

As an integral requirement of monitoring a solid waste landfill, groundwater samples are collected, analyzed, and compared with site specific water quality statistical values. The monitoring points, sample frequency, and laboratory analyses are selected based on site conditions and permit compliance requirements. Following a field sampling event, an owner must determine whether or not there is a significant increase above existing water quality levels. For landfill owners in New York State, this involves comparing their quarterly monitoring data to statistically valuated pre-deposition of solid waste or background water quality conditions and applicable published standards. This data management and reporting exercise is a time-consuming and expensive requirement to maintain regulatory compliance. In order to directly save time, provide a means of quickly assessing the ever growing volume of water quality results, and demonstrate a case for reduction in monitoring program requirements, Champion International Corporation worked with Fluor Daniel GTI to develop a database to automate the process of analyzing water quality data. The resulting data management tool allows laboratory generated analytical data to be downloaded directly into a site database and compared with the pre-determined statistical triggers and published standards.