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Challenge
Mundell has been contracted to provide environmental consulting expertise to two groundwater protection programs operating in Marion County – the Technically Qualified Person (TQP) program under the City of Indianapolis, and the Marion County Wellfield Education Corporation (MCWEC), a non-profit established by a City zoning ordinance. The TQP program reviews new construction applications located within City wellfields in accordance with the City Wellfield Protection Ordinance, and issues a letter with conditions that apply to the business and are protective of groundwater resources. The MCWEC program provides free confidential consulting advice to business owners who are located in the wellfields, assisting them in reaching compliance with the Marion County Public Health Department (MCPHD) wellfield protection code.
Action
As part of the TQP program, Mundell reviews business operating and construction plans from a wide range of business types, which requires an understanding of civil engineering, along with knowledge of a wide range of protective technologies for preventing contamination to groundwater. The letters issued must also meet with the approval of the City, local utilities and the MCPHD, requiring good communication skills. Post-construction inspections have occasionally revealed non-compliance, resulting in Mundell devising a path to compliance for the business and coordinating with the City zoning inspectors on violation cases.
The MCWEC program conducts site visits to advise business owners on practices and equipment to comply with the MCPHD wellfield code and to promote best chemical and waste management practices to prevent groundwater contamination. This role entails speaking with a wide variety of people, requiring strong communication skills and a personable approach. The MCWEC program has funds available to purchase and donate spill prevention and cleanup equipment to businesses in need. MCWEC also works in close association with the MCPHD, providing them with technical recommendations on chemicals and storage/spill prevention solutions at businesses.
Results
The City of Indianapolis is a designated ‘Groundwater Guardian’ community as a result of the TQP and MCWEC programs, with MCWEC being awarded the ‘Exceptional Commitment to Watershed Protection Award’ by the White River Association in 2018. Mundell has served in the role of TQP for almost 20 years, and has served as MCWEC consultant for 15 years. Mundell has worked together with the City and MCPHD to improve these programs over the years, with the aim of greater protection for Marion County’s groundwater resources.
