Traveling Through a Historic Storm to Expand EPA Onsite Analytical Capacity During an Emergency

Hurricane Harvey began its historic assault on the Gulf Coast region in late August 2017. While the storm was still slowly churning across Texas and Louisiana, EPA Region 6 requested analytical support from the mobile laboratory units CSS operates for EPA.  We mobilized two analytical units from Castle Rock, CO towards the requested destination of Corpus Christi, TX.  However, EPA’s orders changed over the course of the next day in response to newly emerging needs.  As a result, two CSS chemists flew to Corpus Christi, then drove more than five hours through heavy rain to San Antonio and then to the Region 6 laboratory in Houston before finally meeting up with the redirected mobile laboratory units.  By the following day, the units were ready to receive and analyze samples, handling a total of 67 water samples and 1 soil sludge matrix from 16 different sites over a two-week period. Preliminary results were submitted to EPA within 48 hours, helping the Agency protect the affected communities from volatile and semi-volatile contaminants and speed cleanup efforts.

Additional Projects

Red Hill Drinking Water Crisis

CSS supported the U.S. EPA Red Hill response operations in Hawaii in early 2022.

Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)

We provide site-specific in situ monitoring coupled with predictive modeling, to provide an early warning system to advise health officials and resource managers on how to best focus their efforts to protect health and environment.

Analytical Support for the Drinking Water Emergency in Hawaii

In response to the Red Hill Drinking Water Emergency, CSS staff mobilized on Christmas Day to set up mobile laboratory assets to analyze drinking water samples and confirm that the drinking water in residential homes was safe for human consumption.

Facilities Operations & Maintenance

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Emergency Preparedness & Response

We help our clients prepare for and protect the health and environment of communities after disasters and hazmat releases.

IT Services

Our IT solutions meet clients’ evolving needs.

Human Health Risk Assessment

We help advance the understanding of chemical effects on people and the environment.

Environmental Resource Assessment & Management

We apply science to address challenges affecting the nation’s natural resources.

Safety, Health, & Environmental Compliance

We provide our clients with tools to protect their workforce, the public, and the environment.

Space Science Application Support & Operations

We deliver scientific support to advance our clients’ research goals.

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