The Sacramento County Environmental Management Department (EMD) is responsible for administering the Cross Connect Program and Hazardous Materials Business Plan Program (EPCRA) for business within Sacramento County. When faced with mandated state data reporting requirements, EMD implemented a web portal to streamline and eliminate paper driven processes, report mandated environmental health data electronically to state agencies and also save money by cutting staff costs in these Environmental Health Programs.
Background: The Cross Connect Program is California State mandated program in which water
purveyors must test Cross Connection devices to ensure that the public water
supply is kept safe from potential cross contamination of back flow events with
non- potable water sources. Sacramento County EMD is in contract with the water
purveyors within Sacramento County to enforce the testing of Cross Connect
devices. There are over 14,500 cross connect devices located in Sacramento
County alone. The web portal allowed EMD to streamline their data processes by:* Allowing Certified Testers to input their test results directly into EMD’s database eliminating the need for staff to manually input test reports. Errors are minimized using this method.
* Testers can now pay fees on line via web portal.
* Streamlined process of notifying owners of annual testing for over 14, 5000 Cross Connect devices.
Background: The Emergency Community Right To Know Act (EPCRA) is a Federal and State mandated program in which businesses storing threshold quantities of hazardous materials must report their chemical inventory . In California, they must send a copy of their plan to the Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA). Recently Assembly Bill 2286 was passed mandating that all business in the state of California must submit their hazardous materials business plan electronically starting January 1, 2013. EMD regulates approximately 4,000 businesses in the EPCRA/Hazardous Materials Business Plan Program. The web portal allows EMD to streamline the data collection by:
* Allowing businesses to input their chemical inventory directly into EMD’s database eliminating the need for staff to handle paper and manually .
* Businesses can pay for fees through the portal .
* Allow staff to review the chemical inventory directly via the portal.
A problem we all face these days, as everybody wants everything, and be quick about it. I would be interesting in seeing the details of how they did it, and some of the challenges. The more paper that can be "electrified" for government, the better.
ReplyDeleteIs the web portal the same for both of the programs? How much did it take to set the web portal up (cost, time, etc.) v. the savings. We tried setting something up similar to this, but management decided it was going to cost too much. What are the real costs and benefits, I'm hoping that we can do something similar. How much do you charge the users to use the web portal?
ReplyDeleteHow much money compared to the cost. Also, how do you require your community 'use' the portal? People love their paper......
ReplyDelete