In 1994, we applied state-of-the-art graphical and statistical evaluation techniques to help our client reduce a $1,000,000 annual groundwater monitoring burden by 70%.

Groundwater monitoring at this facility had become expensive through a long course of changing environmental management objectives and stringent regulatory oversight by the state agency. We proposed a systematic statistical re-evaluation of the data. Assisted by innovative graphical presentations produced by a geographic information system (GIS) we had developed, we compared data over time, over space, and among analytes.

The statistical methods assessed correlations. Strong correlations point to sampling that is more intensive than necessary. Hydrogeological, risk assessment, and chemical experts added strategic insight regarding where and when less sampling would be appropriate. This work led to a proposed modification of the groundwater monitoring plan that greatly reduces costs.

The regulatory agency approved the proposed changes. The client realized $500,000 savings the first year. By 1997, the client’s savings had reached $700,000 in savings annually.

A singular advantage of appropriately applied statistical analysis is that it can separate issues of fact from the concerns that too often create adversarial relationships. In this case, as in many others, the logic and rigor of a statistical analysis helped opposing parties negotiate a mutually satisfactory solution.