Thomas Kwader tackles the question, what is being done with the massive amount of information we're collecting from monitoring wells?
Let's assume that the data collected is representative and good. Most monitoring data is collected and put into quarterly, semi-annual or annual reports and submitted, usually to a governmental agency (local, state or federal) for review. The better reports track trends in contaminant concentrations indicative of ground water movement from contaminant source areas on site. In some cases, the monitoring data is providing an indication of progress being made by a ground water recovery and treatment system operating on site.