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Regional Training on Biennial Report Data Quality

This training will focus on improving the data quality of the Biennial Report, addressing potential errors, and reducing significant errors in the 2009 cycle. The training will cover the process of identifying and eliminating errors, providing guidance for reporting wastewaters, and improving the current QA/QC process.

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Regional Training on Biennial Report Data Quality

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  1. Regional Training on Biennial Report Data Quality October 27, 2009

  2. Agenda • How We Got to this Point • Overview of the recent QA/QC Effort for Biennial Report Data • Improving the 2009 BR Cycle

  3. How We Got to This Point

  4. How We Got to This Point • FY 2008: ORCR develops several additional analyses to be published with the BR National Report. • Time series analysis by ORCR staff indicates over an 8M ton increase in generation from 2005 to 2007. • The increase appears to be due primarily by an 11M ton wastewater stream that was reported incorrectly.

  5. Increase of 8.4 M tons (22%) from 2005 to 2007. Sources: The 2001, 2003, 2005, and 2007 National Biennial RCRA Hazardous Waste Reports.

  6. How We Got to This Point • Analysis for the “Report on the Environment” indicates 2M ton increase in Hazardous Waste incineration in 2007. • Seems the state mislabeled several waste streams that the facility reported in pounds as cubic yards. • Analysis of the metals recycling data for an RCC conference reflected a dramatic decrease. • Nearly 400,000 tons of waste sent for reclamation was not included in the 2007 BR data.

  7. How Significant where the errors? 32.2 M tons

  8. QAQC EFFORT FOR 2007 BIENNIAL REPORT DATA

  9. QAQC of BR Data • Process: • ORCR identified potential BR data errors from 2005 and 2007 BR submissions that could influence national estimates. • Memorandum sent from Berlow to EPA Regions requesting assistance in addressing potential errors. • Regions, in turn, communicated with their states to address problems. • ORCR staff coordinated with Regions to monitor progress.

  10. QAQC of BR Data • Findings • Process worked. Regions worked with their states in addressing potential data reporting errors. • Regions take different approaches in dealing with their states. Some take hands-off approach; others more hands-on. • The State DQ reports used in the existing QA/QC process can be confusing to some states. • Process for revising data is technically confusing for some states; ORCR staff needed to confirm whether corrections are actually made.

  11. QAQC of BR Data • Findings (Continued) • The current QA/QC process for the BR needs to be improved to better identify and eliminate large errors. • Significant errors can be identified by focusing on streams with large changes and streams that have a significant impact on EPA analyses. • Errors are more frequently introduced by states rather than reporting facilities. • The largest source of errors, by both number of errors and total amount of streams with errors, is from States not excluding wastewater streams from the BR data.

  12. IMPROVING THE 2009 BIENNIAL REPORT CYCLE

  13. Our Goal • Reduce the number of significant errors in the 2009 Biennial Report.

  14. How Do We Get There? • Hold Regional Training • Develop guidance for reporting wastewaters; consistency in reporting • Continue the designation of a HQ team member to assist each Region and its states • Hold monthly conference calls with States/Regions

  15. How Do We Get There? (cont.) • Redesign format of “State Detailed Report” • Provide briefings/trainings at RCRAInfo Conference • Request states respond to “State Detailed Report” / Track corrections as they are made • Closely monitor facilities with historical errors • Give “Data Quality” awards at end of 2009 cycle

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