Soil Contamination Data Analysis
EPA Superfund Site, Pueblo CO
• SQL • ArcGIS Pro • AutoCAD • Python (ArcPy) • Data Reporting • Stakeholder Deliverables
About the project:
Pueblo, CO carries a long industrial legacy with having five lead and silver smelters operating from 1883 to 1908, leaving elevated arsenic and lead concentrations in residential and commercial soils across thousands of properties. In 2015, the EPA began a large-scale sampling and remediation effort expected to run through 2029.
Pacific Western Technologies was engaged to support the EPA's data collection and cleanup operation. My role was to manage the spatial dataset underpinning the entire project including but not limited to tracking sample results, flagging exceedances, and producing the data-driven deliverables that drove cleanup decisions for over 2,000 properties.
More background on the Pueblo Smelter Superfund site can be found here.
My work
Data collection and digitization I began by digitizing each residential property in AutoCAD, classifying decision units (front yard, side yard, back yard) and recording square footage for each. This dataset became the spatial backbone of the project with every subsequent data point was tied to it.
Analysis against EPA thresholds Once field crews returned soil and dust sample results, I integrated the measurements into the geodatabase and evaluated each property against EPA contamination thresholds:
Arsenic in soil: 61 ppm
Lead in soil: 350 ppm
Arsenic in indoor dust: 61 ppm
Lead in indoor dust: 275 ppm
Properties exceeding any threshold were flagged for remediation. I used SQL queries to filter and extract exceedance records from the dataset, ensuring accuracy before any cleanup notification was issued.
Stakeholder reporting and resident communication For each property requiring cleanup, I produced a parcel-level map showing exact measurement values and mailed it alongside an EPA informational packet and scheduling instructions for the property owner. Every deliverable went through a QA/QC review before distribution.
Progress tracking I produced monthly project-wide maps for the internal team, visualizing cumulative progress across the study area. These maps were used in team meetings to communicate status, allocate field resources, and maintain project momentum across a multi-year timeline.
Conclusion
Over three years, this project tracked and processed data for more than 2,000 residential and commercial properties ranging from initial digitization through sampling, threshold analysis, and cleanup verification. The dataset I managed directly informed remediation decisions that improved environmental safety for current and future Pueblo residents.
This project is a clear example of how rigorous data management, spatial analysis, and clear stakeholder communication work together to drive real-world outcomes.