Landfill Environmental Monitoring

The Waste & Materials Management Program has collected environmental monitoring data from licensed landfills since the mid-1970s. This information is used extensively by program staff to evaluate the performance of landfills and determine their impact on the environment. Environmental monitoring data submitted to the program are also used to evaluate the effectiveness of remedial actions taken at landfills. We receive and review a wide variety of environmental monitoring data from over 600 landfills, including the results from analysis of groundwater, air and leachate samples, methane gas readings and water table measurements.

In 1979, the Waste & Materials Management Program developed a database to capture the large volume of data submitted by facilities. This database is called the Groundwater and Environmental Monitoring System (GEMS). GEMS is an interaction application used by DNR staff to view and analyze environmental monitoring data in a variety of ways by working with over twenty different reports. A long-term goal to provide direct public access to the environmental monitoring data contained in GEMS is now available through the GEMS on the Web facility search.

To maintain the integrity of the GEMS database, it is critical that facilities, consultants and laboratories work with the DNR to ensure that environmental samples are collected and analyzed properly with the resulting data transferred to DNR is an accurate manner. We have developed a GEMS Newsletter to more effectively communicate any changes regarding waste management environmental monitoring and how those changes pertain to GEMS. The newsletter will also include information related to the collection and/or transfer of environmental monitoring data to the DNR. The first issue of the GEMS Newsletter was sent out in hard copy, as well as e-mail, in May 2001. All issues of the GEMS Newsletter can be found under Guidance and Publications. Enter "GEMS Newsletter" into the "Title" box, click the "Find" button and then select the newsletter you wish to read.

Please send your comments (feedback) or questions about environmental monitoring associated with the Waste & Materials Management Program to Jack Connelly at Jack Connelly or (608) 267-7574.