Petroleum Hydrocarbons and Organic Chemicals in Ground Water: Prevention, Detection, and Remediation® Conference

Monday, November 3, 2008 : 10:15 a.m.

A Systematic Approach to Sensitive Receptor Management throughout the Project Lifecycle

Roger Well, CPG, ENFOS Inc.

The purpose of this paper is to provide a framework for a systematic approach to manage risks on portfolios of remediation sites associated with potentially exposed populations, environmentally sensitive areas (receptors), and off-site sources of contamination.   This management approach is enabled through a Web based environmental business management (EBM) system with geographical information system (GIS) capability and replaces current industry practices.  Typically, exposure assessments, including the identification, verification, and on-going information management of receptors are performed on an ad-hoc basis and only during the early site characterization stage.  In addition, the current ad-hoc approach is inefficient due to a lack of clearly defined objectives, institutionalized business process, data acquisition protocols, and evaluation tools.  Problems that arise from these outdated practices may include impacted receptors, selection of an improper remedial or monitoring strategy, reopening of closed sites, and increased levels of uncertainty.  The implications are many and may include regulatory non-compliance, over or under-estimated remedial lifecycle cost estimates, legal and third-party issues, and overall higher costs. 

The new framework begins with the creation of a clearly defined set of objectives.    The objectives should answer the question of “why” this approach is being implemented and the expected business goals.  A business process and set of workflows is then developed to ensure that the objectives of the program are met.  Components of the business process include data package selection and acquisition, desktop evaluation, decision matrix for the need to field verify receptor information, field verification, final evaluation, incorporation of results into the remedial strategy, change management, re-acquisition of receptor data, and site closure risk assessment.  In addition to a single-site assessment, the EBM application should provide programmatic level evaluation methodologies for owners of multiple remediation sites.    Examples from a large petroleum marketer are used throughout the paper to supplement the body of knowledge. 

Roger Well, CPG, ENFOS Inc. Roger Well is the Vice President of Enfos, Inc. and is responsible for product management, client implementation, and information analysis. Enfos, Inc. is the leading provider of Internet environmental business management software solutions. Mr. Well started his tenure with Enfos, Inc. in January 2001 after 13 years in the environmental consulting industry. Mr. Well is a Certified Professional Geologist (AIPG #9328). He received an M.B.A. from the Keller Graduate School of Management (Chicago) in 1995, and M.S. (Geology) from the University of Toledo in 1990, and a B.A. (Geology) from Monmouth College (IL) in 1986.


Petroleum Hydrocarbons and Organic Chemicals in Ground Water: Prevention, Detection, and Remediation® Conference