CLU-IN.ORG | Technology Focus: REMEDIATION OPTIMIZATION, Overview

How has EPA used remediation optimization to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of its own sites?

EPA's effort to optimize its Fund-lead sites (i.e., sites funded by Superfund) incorporates the Remediation System Evaluation (RSE) process that was developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. (What is a Remediation System Evaluation (RSE)?) The EPA effort began in 2000 with a pilot study consisting of four RSEs at sites with operating pump and treat (P&T) systems. Two of the sites are in EPA Region 4 and the other two sites are in EPA Region 5. Based on the success of these pilot RSEs in identifying potential opportunities for improving remedy effectiveness, reducing cost, improving technical operations, and facilitating site closure, the Superfund Reform Strategy was formalized in Directive 9283.1-13. With this directive, the pilot study was extended to a nationwide effort to optimize EPA sites with P&T systems. The following list provides a time line for this nationwide optimization effort.

2000	Teamed with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, EPA conducts its first four RSEs at Fund-lead sites with P&T systems Directive 9283.1-13 formalizes the Superfund Reform Strategy
2001	EPA identifies 88 sites with Fund-lead P&T systems EPA conducts RSEs at 16 additional Fund-lead sites with P&T systems EPA publishes Groundwater Pump and Treat Systems: Summary of Selected Cost and Performance Information at Superfund-financed Sites (542-R-01-021a,b), which summarizes basic site information on the 88 systems EPA presents the internet seminar titled Remediation System Evaluations and Optimization of Pump and Treat Projects, which summarizes the nationwide optimization project and lessons learned from conducting 20 RSEs
2002	EPA conducts RSEs at four additional Fund-lead sites with P&T systems EPA initiates follow-up conference calls to track progress of implementing RSE recommendations EPA publishes Pilot Project to Optimize Superfund-financed Pump and Treat Systems: Summary Report and Lessons Learned (EPA 542-R-02-008a-u), which summarizes the results from the RSEs conducted in 2000 and 2001 and includes each of the 20 RSEs EPA presents, for a second and third time, the internet seminar titled Remediation System Evaluations and Optimization of Pump and Treat Projects, which summarizes the nationwide optimization project and lessons learned from conducting 20 RSEs
2003	EPA Headquarters conducts RSEs at three additional Fund-lead sites and one private site with P&T systems EPA Region 3 commissions similar optimization evaluations at two Fund-lead P&T systems in Region 3 EPA continues to conduct follow-up conference calls to track progress of implementing RSE recommendations
2004	EPA Headquarters plans to conduct RSEs at four to six additional Fund-lead sites EPA Headquarters plans to continue conducting conference calls to follow-up on progress toward implementing RSE recommendations.

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Last updated on Wednesday, January 2, 2008