Wetlands Cleanup Data Collection System
Trec, Inc. in Bozeman, Montana oversees the collection of data for the Butte Wetlands Superfund Site cleanup. They are tasked with gathering the information for all of the sampling points within the cleanup site including information taken at each location as well as the chemical analysis of the sample done by independent laboratories. The challenge for Trec was that there was so much data being generated, they needed a system to organize and report the data to various governmental agencies. Trec contacted Front Desk Software to assist them in developing a database application to hold the data.
 

Solution

The solution that Front Desk Software provided Trec, Inc. was a Visual Basic front end application that wrapped around a Microsoft Access database. The challenge with this project was to design a database that would be flexible enough to allow for changes in tests being performed in the future, but still provide good performance with the 1.5 Gigabytes of information being collected.

Front Desk Software solved both of these problems and provided some additional features that eliminated redundant entry of data from the field and the laboratories.

  
 
 

The system developed allows Trec to define the tests on which they are reporting. This allows them to add tests that are not currently being performed but are necessary. For example, they might not currently be testing for pH but they can add that test if it becomes necessary.

The system also allows the data administrator to import the sampling data taken in the field by sampling personnel and from the laboratories that are performing the chemical analysis of the samples. The system also provides a method for 'blind' sample testing or not allowing the laboratories to know where the sample was taken so completely unbiased results are returned. The system, however, is able to take these results and correctly match them up with the location and date/time the sample was taken.
 
Another feature of the application is its ability to run queries on various criteria and view the results. These queries can also be saved for future use. The system also provides a number of sophisticated reports that Trec can provide to the various governmental agencies that need them.
 
This system has been in use for over 3 years and currently records over 1.5 Gigabytes of information.
 
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