Water Data Systems

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Data Systems Topics

Modernization/ICIS

Air

Hazardous Waste

Water   PCS

Toxics/Pesticides

Multimedia

Other Data Systems

Enforcement Models

There are 2 major EPA Water data systems:

Permit Compliance System (PCS), is a national information management system that tracks implementation of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program, authorized by the Clean Water Act. PCS tracks permit issuance, permit limits, self-monitoring data, compliance data and other data pertaining to facilities regulated under NPDES. PCS was developed in 1974 and resides on a mainframe computer. PCS records data on more than 135,000 permities nationwide. PCS is currently undergoing modernization as Phase II of ICIS. Changes are needed both to address outdated technology and new program requirements. The current estimate for modernized PCS is late 2004.

The Safe Drinking Water Information System/Federal (SDWIS/FED) version is EPA's national data base for the Public Water System Supervision program. It includes inventory, compliance, and enforcement information on the nation's 170,000 public water systems. SDWIS/FED is an exceptions based system that for the most part receives data directly from SDWIS/STATE or data transfer from a state's system. The SDWIS/STATE version was designed for the states to help implement the drinking water program and fulfill EPA's reporting requirements. The Significant Non Compliance (SNC) Exceptions Tracking System (SETS) is a sub-system of SDWIS/FED that generates/tracks significant non-compliers. SDWIS is in the initial stage of modernization by the Office of Water.