Remedy Optimization is the systematic site review by a team of independent technical experts, at any phase of a cleanup process to identify opportunities to improve remedy protectiveness, effectiveness and cost efficiency, and to facilitate progress toward completion of site work.

On this page:

• Overview
• Key guidance documents
• Optimization project background
• Summary reports on implementation progress
• Other related links

Overview

In September 2012, the Superfund program released a National Strategy to Expand Superfund Optimization Practices from Site Assessment to Site Completion. The goals of the Strategy are to expand and formalize optimization practices as an operating business model for the Superfund remedial program. The Strategy envisions the application of optimization concepts throughout all phases of the remedial pipeline as a normal part of remedial program activities.

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• National Strategy to Expand Superfund Optimization Practices from Site Assessment to Site Completion (PDF)(19 pp, 614 K)
  OSWER 9200.3-75, September 2012

To date, the Superfund program has conducted more than 120 optimization reviews via Remediation System Evaluations (RSEs) and Long-Term Monitoring Optimization (LTMO) reviews. Although the majority of optimization technical support has been applied to Fund-lead Long-Term Response Action (LTRA) sites, EPA has also conducted pilot optimization efforts during remedial design (RD) and remedial action (RA); in support of preparing Five-Year Reviews; at Potentially Responsible Party (PRP) sites; at state-lead sites; and at remedy "re-design" sites (where the current remedy is not achieving its goals). These related efforts have demonstrated benefits similar to the optimization of Fund-lead LTRA sites, and have been widely discussed within EPA and with stakeholders. EPA also has provided technical support to regions and other stakeholders in two areas that are closely related or complementary to optimization: Green Remediation and the Triad Approach.

The key components of optimization can be used to perform more effectively the activities necessary to demonstrate that a site meets cleanup criteria for protectiveness determinations and ultimately site completion. The benefits of these optimization efforts may include more cost-effective expenditure of Superfund dollars; lower energy use; reduced carbon footprint; improved remedy protectiveness; improved project and site decision making; and acceleration of project and site completion.

Efforts are currently underway to unify the previously independent optimization efforts (such as RSE, LTMO, Triad, and Green Remediation) under the singular activity and term "optimization", which can be used to support decision making throughout the Superfund project life cycle from remedial investigation (RI) to site completion. Furthermore, for those sites in early planning of the RI stage, the Superfnd program aims to bring forward optimization lessons learned and practices through similar technical support mechanisms.

• Remediation System Evaluations (RSEs)

An RSE utilizes an independent team of experts to evaluate the performance of an operating remedy and makes recommendations to improve protectiveness, reduce costs, improve technical operation, and facilitate site closure.

• Long Term Monitoring Optimization (LTMO) 

These efforts range from demonstrating geostatistical software for optimizing long-term monitoring programs to reviewing emerging sensor technologies to facilitate groundwater monitoring.

• Green Remediation 

Green Remediation is the practice of considering all environmental effects of remedy implementation and incorporating options to minimize the environmental footprint of cleanup activities. Green Remediation considers five core elements: energy requirements; air emissions; water and water resources; land and ecosystem impacts; and material consumption and waste generation.

• Triad Approach 

The Triad approach to decision-making for hazardous waste sites offers a technically defensible methodology for managing decision uncertainty that leverages innovative characterization tools and strategies.

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Key Guidance Documents

The guidance documents listed below have largely been developed in response to lessons learned from previous optimization reviews conducted at operating ground water pump and treat systems. These documents are intended for a wide audience within the remediation community, including project managers, regulators, engineers, and hydrogeologists.

• Groundwater Road Map: Recommended Process for Restoring Contaminated Groundwater at Superfund Sites (PDF)(31 pp, 668 K)
  OSWER 9283.1-34, July 2011
• A Systematic Approach for Evaluation of Capture Zones at Pump and Treat Systems
  EPA 600/R-08/003, January 2008
• A Cost Comparison Framework for Use in Optimizing Ground Water Pump and Treat Systems (PDF)(60 pp, 2 MB)
  EPA 542-R-07-005, May 2007
• Options for Discharging Treated Water from Pump and Treat Systems (PDF)(23 pp, 346 K)
  EPA 542-R-07-006, May 2007
• Optimization Strategies for Long-Term Ground Water Remedies (with Particular Emphasis on Pump and Treat Systems) (PDF)(33 pp, 338 K)
  EPA 542-R-07-007, May 2007
• Cost-Effective Design of Pump and Treat Systems (PDF)(38 pp, 413 K)
  OSWER 9283.1-20FS, EPA 542-R-05-008, April 2005
• Effective Contracting Approaches for Operating Pump and Treat Systems (PDF)(22 pp, 254 K)
  OSWER 9283.1-21FS, EPA 542-R-05-009, April 2005
• O&M Report Template for Ground Water Remedies (With Emphasis on Pump and Treat Systems) (PDF)(58 pp, 1.4 MB)
  OSWER 9283.1-22FS, EPA 542-R-05-010, April 2005
• Elements for Effective Management of Operating Pump and Treat Systems (PDF)(22 pp, 530 K)
  OSWER 9355.4-27FS-A, November 2002
• Implementation of RSE Recommendations: Technical Assistance Resources Available to RPMs (PDF)(5 pp, 238 K)
  January 2002

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Optimization Project Background

• Action Plan for Ground Water Remedy Optimization (PDF)(8 pp, 163 K)
  OSWER 9283.1-25, August 2004
• Improving Nationwide Effectiveness of Pump-and-Treat Remedies Requires Sustained and Focused Action to Realize Benefits (PDF)(11 pp, 72 K)
  EPA Office of Inspector General, Report No. 2003-P-000006, March 2003
• Pilot Project to Optimize Superfund-financed Pump and Treat Systems: Summary Report and Lessons Learned (PDF)(3 pp, 316 K)
  OSWER 9283.1-18, November 2002
• Groundwater Pump and Treat Systems: Summary of Selected Cost and Performance Information at Superfund-financed Sites (PDF)(76 pp, 1.2 MB)
  EPA 542-R-01-021a, December 2001
  • Appendix A: Information Sheets for Each Fund-lead P&T System (PDF) (99 pp, 549 K)
  • Appendix B: Summary Phase 1 Reports for Regions 1-5 (PDF) (89 pp, 1 MB)
  • Appendix B: Summary Phase 1 Reports for Regions 6-7 & 9-10 (PDF) (49 pp, 663 K)
  • Appendix C: Screening Calculations for Each Fund-lead P&T System (PDF) (98 pp, 1 MB)
• Superfund Reform Strategy, Implementation Memorandum: Optimization of Fund-lead Ground Water Pump and Treat (P&T) Systems (PDF)(21 pp, 118 K)
  OSWER 9283.1-13, October 2000 

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Summary Reports on Implementation Progress

• Optimization Progress Report (PDF) (77 pp, 2 MB)
  EPA-542-R-20-002, October 2020
• Ground Water Remedy Optimization Progress Report: 2010 - 2011 (PDF)(16 pp, 447 K)
  OSWER 9283.1-38, July 2012
  • Appendix: Site-Specific Optimization Recommendations and Progress Toward Implementation (PDF)(38 pp, 673 K)
• Ground Water Remedy Optimization Progress Report: 2008 - 2009 (PDF)(13 pp, 433 K)
  OSWER 9283.1-34, December 2010
  • Appendix: Site-Specific Optimization Recommendations and Progress Toward Implementation (PDF)(27 pp, 190 K)
•  Ground Water Remedy Optimization Progress Report: 2006 - 2007 (PDF)(12 pp, 142 K)
  OSWER 9283.1-31, July 2008
  • Appendix: Site-Specific Optimization Recommendations and Progress Toward Implementation (PDF)(54 pp, 654 K)
• 2005 Annual Progress Report for Ground Water Remedy Optimization (PDF)(11 pp, 187 K)
  OSWER 9283.1-28, December 2006
  • Appendix: Site-Specific Optimization Recommendations and Progress Toward Implementation (PDF)(48 pp, 555 K)
• 2004 Annual Progress Report for Ground Water Remedy Optimization (PDF)(14 pp, 107 K)
  OSWER 9283.1-27, EPA 542-R-05-014, August 2005
  • Appendix: Site-Specific Optimization Recommendations and Progress Toward Implementation (PDF)(62 pp, 1 MB)

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Other Related Links

• Site-Specific Optimization Reports
• Key EPA Ground Water Guidance
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Optimization Efforts 

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