Client Overview
Aquatic Resources Management (ARM) is responsible for managing over 500 National Point Source Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits. Each permit involves monitoring specific point source discharges once or twice a month to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
Challenge
ARM needed a tailored database solution to streamline the complex processes of tracking, analyzing, and reporting water lab results. The existing workflows were labor-intensive, requiring manual handling of lab results and client notifications for exceedances.
Solution
SITEK collaborated with ARM to design and develop the Aquatic Resource Information System (ARIS)—a fully customized web application built to automate lab analysis and reporting while aligning with ARM’s daily business processes.
Development Process
Understanding Business Processes
Worked closely with ARM to map out workflows, including importing water lab results, tracking permit-specific discharge limits, and generating compliance notifications.
Identified key requirements, such as monitoring substances like iron, magnesium, and pH, and ensuring seamless client communication.
Key Features of Aquatic Resource Information System (ARIS)
- Data Import: ARM staff can import water lab sample data for various clients into the system.
- Compliance Monitoring: ARIS automatically evaluates samples against defined pond limit rules to identify exceedances or compliance.
- Notifications: Sends automated email alerts to clients when parameter values exceed regulatory thresholds.
- Client Portal: Enables clients to log in, acknowledge exceedances, and generate various DNR compliance reports.
- Forms and Reporting: Includes inspection forms, permit and pond details, and robust reporting capabilities to support regulatory requirements.
Results and Impact
The implementation of ARIS delivered significant benefits to ARM and its clients:
- Automation: Reduced manual effort by automating data import, analysis, and compliance notification processes.
- Improved Accuracy: Minimized errors in monitoring and reporting by standardizing processes and applying consistent rules.
- Enhanced Client Communication: Streamlined exceedance notifications, enabling prompt client responses.
- Regulatory Compliance: Simplified the generation of reports for the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), ensuring adherence to NPDES regulations.
Conclusion
By partnering with SITEK, ARM transformed its lab analysis and reporting processes with a custom-built solution tailored to its unique compliance needs. The Aquatic Resource Information System (ARIS) empowers ARM to efficiently manage NPDES permits while providing better service to its clients.