Location
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Start Date
15-5-2024 3:00 PM
End Date
15-5-2024 3:30 PM
Description
Reevaluation of the Groundwater Monitoring Paradigm - Proof of Concept Study Authors Mr. Jacob Gruzalski - United States - Environmental Standards Mr. Benjamin Adams - United States - Environmental Standards Mr. Bruce Hensel - United States - Electric Power Research Institute Abstract Groundwater monitoring programs associated with coal combustion product (CCP) landfills and impoundments are long-term endeavors, continuing during active operation and for a post-closure period of 30 years or longer. This long-term groundwater monitoring represents a substantial financial expenditure by electrical power producers, with the bulk of the expenses being associated with the physical collection of the groundwater samples. This raises the question: “Are there steps that can be taken to streamline or otherwise enhance the efficiency of the groundwater sampling and analytical activities while still producing meaningful, representative, and compliant monitoring data?” In 2020 the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) teamed with Environmental Standards to reevaluate the groundwater monitoring paradigm and provide answers to this question. To begin, an EPRI publication was produced that explored multiple approaches to increase groundwater sample collection efficiency. Each approach was broadly evaluated to establish estimated cost to implement, potential cost efficiencies and technical readiness. After receiving feedback from EPRI members, two of the approaches presented in the report were selected for further evaluation: 1) equipment calibration frequency and 2) thermal preservation (shipping samples to laboratories with no ice). This presentation will present the proof-of-concept study design and implementation and the results of the research.
Document Type
Presentation
Reevaluation of the Groundwater Monitoring Paradigm – Proof of Concept Study
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Reevaluation of the Groundwater Monitoring Paradigm - Proof of Concept Study Authors Mr. Jacob Gruzalski - United States - Environmental Standards Mr. Benjamin Adams - United States - Environmental Standards Mr. Bruce Hensel - United States - Electric Power Research Institute Abstract Groundwater monitoring programs associated with coal combustion product (CCP) landfills and impoundments are long-term endeavors, continuing during active operation and for a post-closure period of 30 years or longer. This long-term groundwater monitoring represents a substantial financial expenditure by electrical power producers, with the bulk of the expenses being associated with the physical collection of the groundwater samples. This raises the question: “Are there steps that can be taken to streamline or otherwise enhance the efficiency of the groundwater sampling and analytical activities while still producing meaningful, representative, and compliant monitoring data?” In 2020 the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) teamed with Environmental Standards to reevaluate the groundwater monitoring paradigm and provide answers to this question. To begin, an EPRI publication was produced that explored multiple approaches to increase groundwater sample collection efficiency. Each approach was broadly evaluated to establish estimated cost to implement, potential cost efficiencies and technical readiness. After receiving feedback from EPRI members, two of the approaches presented in the report were selected for further evaluation: 1) equipment calibration frequency and 2) thermal preservation (shipping samples to laboratories with no ice). This presentation will present the proof-of-concept study design and implementation and the results of the research.
