Project Showcase

Design and Implementation of Cost-Effective, Cellular-Telemetry-Based Remote Monitoring and Data Reporting for Water Level and Water Quality Applications

This equipment and service enables the automated collection and reporting of high-quality water level and water quality data from the field anytime, and in any weather condition. The equipment and monitoring capability is well-suited to field sites where efficiencies in labor and equipment costs are desired, or where the quality and delivery of the data may be sporadic and improvements are needed. Robust solid state sensors and cellular-based telemetry equipment from a third party (pictured) are used to securely-access water level and water quality data from wells or surface water using your PC via the Internet, or automatically receive data transmissions to anywhere in the world. The equipment can automatically notify you of anomalous water level or water quality conditions as soon as they occur. Applications include: waste water applications; dewatering impacts from underground and open pit mining; real time monitoring of groundwater remediation projects and grouting projects for performance, cost, and quality control; injection well performance; and construction site dewatering or tunneling disturbances to the water table.

ARCGIS Mapping and Modeling of Geologic, Hydrogeologic, and Water Quality Information for Large Sites

ARCGIS is becoming commonplace for mapping of sites with large amounts of spatial data. KCF has created ARCGIS maps for commercial development sites, mining sites, and government facilities where mapping of geologic, geophysical, hydrogeologic, and geochemical data is key to problem solving. Where permeable pathways are being investigated for pathways for groundwater contamination, we have used ARCGIS to locate and delineate areas beneath which permeable geologic structures could lie. For a sand and gravel mining operation, KCF has used GIS to model the locations and volumes of residual sand and gravel deposits which should be removed to complete the reclamation plan for the site. On project completion, KCF works with the Client to complete a smooth hand-off of the GIS maps and models.

Hydrogeologic Assessment of Chromium Groundwater Contamination, Historical COPR Disposal Site; Baltimore, Maryland
On the site of historical chrome ore residue disposal, chromium-laden groundwater was flowing into an adjacent waterway and introducing hazardous chemicals into the environmentally-sensitive Chesapeake Bay.  KCF participated on a multi-disciplinary team to assist a State government agency with understanding the groundwater flow and hydrochemical aspects of the disposal area.  KCF provided guidance to the State, and oversight and review of remedial characterization being performed by the site owner, and of their flow and transport simulation studies.

Remedial Characterization of Groundwater Flow Pathways in Dolomite for Reduction in Permeability by Grouting, Michigan’s Lower Peninsula 
The lower part of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan is experiencing large scale declines in water table levels concomitant with the growth in the population, agriculture, and mining, all of which utilize groundwater.  Changing groundwater regulations made it necessary to engineer a reduction in permeability to the bedrock around quarries, especially where very high secondary porosity is of concern.   KCF worked with the mining industry in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan to characterize the patterns in secondary permeability.  This data enabled a remedial feasibility assessment of engineered barriers to minimize the groundwater impacts from dewatering on a regional scale. 

Simulation of Zero-Valent-Iron Dechlorination of Solvents; Upstate New York
KCF developed and provided a hydrochemical simulation capability to test the feasibility of degrading a mixture of dissolved chlorinated solvents in groundwater using zero-valent-iron technology.  Reaction path modeling was used to simulate the metal corrosion/abiotic reductive dechlorination process required for remedial treatment of landfill leachate.

Hydrologic Assessment of Abandoned, Historical Coal Mining Properties; Charleston Area, West Virginia
Characterization and remediation of contaminated mine drainage was required to lessen the long term environmental liability prior to sale of the property.  KCF designed and completed a remedial site investigation of the mining and spoils areas, and located the sources of freshwater recharge to the mines and spoils, and the permeable flow pathways.  Stable isotopes of water and sulfur were measured to fingerprint the different water sources, and the discharge which was located ½ mile away.  Re-contouring of the spoils area diverted the freshwater recharge, and hydraulic seals and grout were proposed for mine openings.