Location
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Start Date
15-5-2024 8:00 AM
End Date
15-5-2024 8:30 AM
Description
Groundwater Model Workflow for CCR Sites Authors Mr. William Gottobrio - United States - WSP USA Inc Mr. Cliff Baines - United States - WSP USA Inc Ms. Roselyne Laboso - United States - WSP USA Inc Mr. Skyler Sorsby - United States - WSP USA Inc Abstract Changes in legislation and legal requirements have added additional regulatory scrutiny to groundwater flow models for Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) sites. The additional scrutiny of these projects emphasizes the importance of a model development framework that is both well-defined and defensible. WSP has developed a workflow for creating groundwater models that can be used to support multiple planning phases for CCR projects, including CCR impoundment closure design, construction dewatering, corrective action, and litigation support. Each model incorporates a high level of detail and complexity, where necessary, while maintaining flexibility for future updates and modifications. The workflow includes data compilation, steady state pre-closure model construction and calibration, steady state closure modeling, transient pre-closure model construction and calibration, transient construction modeling, transient closure modeling, reporting, model validation/verification and repeated model updates, as necessary. The primary objective of the modeling workflow is to predict the magnitude and extent of CCR saturation and separation from the groundwater table during closure, the need for which is driven by recent proposed EPA regulations pertaining to CCR impoundment closure. The models are also used to predict other important metrics, including the magnitude of flow reduction out of the CCR, changes to groundwater flow pathways and travel times during closure, and leachate flows over time during construction and closure. Each model is subjected to rigorous internal and external peer review process to ensure they meet client and industry guidelines, including recent EPRI model construction guidelines. The standardization and streamlining of data collection facilitates model builds with a defensible level of accuracy, regardless of model size and scope.
Document Type
Presentation
Groundwater Model Workflow for CCR Sites
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Groundwater Model Workflow for CCR Sites Authors Mr. William Gottobrio - United States - WSP USA Inc Mr. Cliff Baines - United States - WSP USA Inc Ms. Roselyne Laboso - United States - WSP USA Inc Mr. Skyler Sorsby - United States - WSP USA Inc Abstract Changes in legislation and legal requirements have added additional regulatory scrutiny to groundwater flow models for Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) sites. The additional scrutiny of these projects emphasizes the importance of a model development framework that is both well-defined and defensible. WSP has developed a workflow for creating groundwater models that can be used to support multiple planning phases for CCR projects, including CCR impoundment closure design, construction dewatering, corrective action, and litigation support. Each model incorporates a high level of detail and complexity, where necessary, while maintaining flexibility for future updates and modifications. The workflow includes data compilation, steady state pre-closure model construction and calibration, steady state closure modeling, transient pre-closure model construction and calibration, transient construction modeling, transient closure modeling, reporting, model validation/verification and repeated model updates, as necessary. The primary objective of the modeling workflow is to predict the magnitude and extent of CCR saturation and separation from the groundwater table during closure, the need for which is driven by recent proposed EPA regulations pertaining to CCR impoundment closure. The models are also used to predict other important metrics, including the magnitude of flow reduction out of the CCR, changes to groundwater flow pathways and travel times during closure, and leachate flows over time during construction and closure. Each model is subjected to rigorous internal and external peer review process to ensure they meet client and industry guidelines, including recent EPRI model construction guidelines. The standardization and streamlining of data collection facilitates model builds with a defensible level of accuracy, regardless of model size and scope.
