Ground Water Technical Support Center (GWTSC)
EPA's Groundwater Technical Support Center (GWTSC) links research to critical, real-world problems identified by stakeholders, such as remedial project managers. The direct interaction with stakeholders allows scientists to focus on high-priority problems and provide solutions in a timely manner. The GWTSC consists of groundwater scientists and engineers, with support from contractors with a broad range of expertise capable of interdisciplinary team support. The GWTSC also works with other EPA support centers as part of EPA's Technical Support Project.
The GWTSC provides support for the following:
- Subsurface contamination by organic and inorganic contaminants;
- Contaminant fluxes from groundwater to other media (e.g., surface water or air); and
- Ecosystem restoration issues.
What We Can Do For You
GWTSC's structure allows for rapid response to requests for assistance, such as review of site-specific issues, and use of the most knowledgeable people in the environmental field. GWTSC provides the following technical support:
- Provide quick-response technical assistance to remedial project managers and other decision makers on problems that are site-specific such as cases involving Superfund sites; RCRA; Brownfields; and ecosystem restoration.
- Consult and perform of treatability studies focused on the natural and enhanced remediation of subsurface contaminants.
- Provide support for models and model reviews for site-specific applications.
- Conduct workshops, seminars, and conferences on state-of-the-science issues.
- Provide specialized training courses.
- Develop Superfund, RCRA, and Brownfields issue papers, briefing documents, and summary papers.
- Disseminate publications and technology-focused information packets.
Resources
- Core team of in-house scientists and engineers providing a readily available source of interdisciplinary support.
- Broad scientific base of scientists and engineers specializing in groundwater and ecosystems, in addition to support contractors and specialized consultants.
- Expert technical support from associated universities and research institutions through a STREAMS IV contract.
Site-Specific Assistance
GWTSC has provided assistance at approximately 1,000 individual sites in all ten EPA Regions. This support has included:
- Technical guidance in site characterization and the selection of remedial or management alternatives;
- Reviewing and interpreting of site-specific applications of various models;
- Assisting in review of the design, construction, implementation, and evaluation of remedial systems;
- Engineering solutions to control contaminant sources, including soils, sludges, sediments, and nonaqueous phase liquids; and
- Reviewing and performing laboratory and field-scale treatability studies focused on the remediation of subsurface contaminants.