Region 4 Superfund: Electronic Data Submission
This site is a resource to assist data providers with submitting environmental data to the Region 4 Data Archival and ReTrieval (DART) systems, which are the main repositories for analytical, geological, and geospatial data from Superfund sites across the Region. The Superfund Program in EPA Region 4 has adopted a standardized electronic data deliverable (EDD) format for environmental sampling data that is required for all new and historical data submitted to the region. For environmental sampling data support, contact R4DART@epa.gov.
Geospatial data must be submitted via an online Geographic Information System (GIS) Data Submittal form. Detailed instructions for creating and submitting EDDs are provided in the Environmental Data Submission procedural (SEMDPROC-009-R0) and supporting reference documents. For GIS support, contact R4DARTGEO@epa.gov.
Creating and Submitting Environmental Data
The Environmental Data Submission procedure (SEMDPROC-009-R0) is the controlling document for this process. This document outlines how to: (1) obtain your Project ID and (2) prepare and submit the Region 4 EDD and formatted geospatial data.
The three supporting reference documents are provided with the procedure (SEMDPROC-009-R0) as one downloadable pdf. The reference documents are as follows:
- EPA Region 4 EDD Format File Guide – Provides detailed information for the creation of the EDD files that are required to be submitted.
- EPA Region 4 EQuIS Data Processor (EDP) Reference Manual – Provides the information needed to download, install and maintain the EDP software, as well as how to use the software to proof EDDs and create data packages.
- EPA Region 4 Geographic Information System Deliverable Guidance – Provides specific requirements and file delivery formats for all GIS materials developed in support of the program.
EPA Region 4 utilizes EQuIS to receive, store, and view environmental sampling data. All data providers must register for an EPA Region 4 EQuIS user account.
EPA Region 4 EQuIS Quick Start Guide (pdf)
EPA Region 4 requires the use of the custom EPAR4 format file for all data submissions. The EPAR4 format file and associated reference value file defines the structure and vocabulary required for submitting data to EPA Region 4. Once data has been formatted to meet the EPAR4 format requirements, data providers must utilize the free EQuIS Data Processor (EDP) software to review and sign the data submission. Download the EQuIS Data Processor, EPAR4 format and reference value files from the following link: earthsoft.com/products/edp/edp-format-for-epar4/
A blank EPA Region 4 EDD Template and Example File are available for reference:
Step 1: Prior to Sampling Event
The point of contacts (POCs) for each sampling event must be submitted using the POC EDD file. The POC EDD template file has instruction worksheets for both PRP Lead and Fund Lead sampling.
For PRP Lead sampling, data providers must request a Project ID for each sampling event from R4DART@epa.gov. A project summary of the analytical results expected to be provided must be submitted to serve as a check that all data are received.
For Fund Lead sampling, data providers must submit an Analysis Request Form to the EPA Region 4 Sample Coordinator (LSASD or CLP laboratories) to receive a Project ID. If samples are not being sent to LSASD or a CLP laboratory, contact R4DART@epa.gov for a Project ID assignment.
Step 2: Prepare Your EDD
For EPA Region 4, an EDD is an archive zip file saved with a “.dat” extension holding one or more tab-delimited text files containing the environmental data to be submitted. Data providers are required to submit their data in the format specified in the EPA Region 4 EDD Format File Guide.
Step 3: Validate Your EDD
Prior to submittal, all EDDs must be validated using the EQuIS Data Processor. EDP is a standalone application that allows data providers to check their EDD files to ensure they are formatted as described in the EPA Region 4 EDD Format File Guide. EDP checks for data completion and referential integrity, allows users to identify and correct errors, and creates compressed files containing multiple related EDDs. The EPA Region 4 EDP Reference Manual contains the information needed to obtain, register, maintain, and use EDP.
Step 4: Submit Your EDD
After your EDD has been checked and signed using EDP, you are ready to submit your EDD to epar4@equisonline.com. To submit an EDD, you must:
- Have a valid Project ID, Company Code, Activity Code
- Save and sign your EDD in a compressed file format data package using EDP
- Update the EDD filename using the following conventions:
- Task Code (PRP use PYYYY-nnnn as provided by R4DART; Fund-lead use YY-nnnn as provided by EPA work order)
- Site Name
- Data Provider Company Code
- Date Submitting (YY MM DD)
- Type(Loc-Location/Ch-Chemistry/FR-FieldResults/WL-WaterLevel/GEO-Geology/WC-Well and Well Construction /VI-Vapor Intrusion)
- .FacilityCode.EPAR4.dat
Example EDD Filename
P2022-0001_ChemicalCompanyABC_PL-DataProvider_220508_Ch.110001224773.EPAR4.dat
where,
- Task Code is “P2022-001”
- Site Name is “Chemical Company ABC”
- Company Code is “PL-DataProvider”
- Date Submitting is May 8, 2022 as “220508”
- Type of data submission is “Ch” for Chemistry
- Facility Code is “110001224773”
- Format used is “EPAR4”
- File extension has been changed from “.zip” to “.dat”
Attach the EDD to an email and submit to epar4@equisonline.com
The EQuIS system will automatically process your EDD file and will send an email notification upon successful completion or an error report identifying required revisions.
Submitting GIS Data
Initial draft submittal and final version of spatially enabled files acquired or developed to support mapping, spatial analysis, and/or report generation by a data provider are considered property of the EPA Region 4 and are required to be submitted to the EPA Region 4. The delivery of these files should accompany the submission of a final report. This includes but is not limited to all GIS, CAD, and image formatted files used to develop maps for any scoping or decision document developed for the EPA Region 4, as well as any spatial file used to inform a decision on site management or development.
GIS data submittals must meet the project, metadata, organizational, and delivery requirements in acceptable GIS data formats as specified in the EPA Region 4 Geographic Information System Deliverable Guidance.
To submit your GIS data to the EPA Region 4, please zip all files and use the link below to access the EPA Region 4 online GIS Data Submission form. The Data and Maps Checklist and GIS Submission Summary documents should be included in the zip file.
- GIS Data Submission Form: https://arcg.is/1aDXya
- Data and Maps Checklist (docx)
- GIS Submission Summary Template (xlsx)
For assistance with GIS Data Submittals, contact r4dartgeo@epa.gov.
Contact Information
For assistance with EQuIS data submittals, please contact r4dart@epa.gov.
For assistance with GIS data submittals, contact r4dartgeo@epa.gov.