Contributor: Dave Myers, Environmental IT Specialist | The Dow Chemical Company

Dow’s Environmental Remediation & Restoration (ER&R) business manages a vast global portfolio of 163 remediation sites, each with its own data complexities, consultant relationships, and regulatory requirements. To streamline operations, improve collaboration, and gain greater strategic flexibility, Dow adopted EarthSoft’s EQuIS across its remediation program. 

Results at a glance: Faster consultant transitions, stronger governance, improved pricing transparency, fewer data errors, and significant cost savings supported by measurable outcomes shared directly by Dow. 

Boosting Collaboration and Operational Flexibility 

Dow reports that its use of EarthSoft EQuIS “has enhanced collaboration and given Dow more operational flexibility in its Environmental Remediation & Restoration business.” 

EQuIS serves as the central foundation for managing environmental data across numerous remediation projects, enabling smoother transfer of responsibilities, standardized workflows, and consistent execution across global teams. 

Streamlined Transfer and Reallocation of Responsibilities 

Dow frequently transfers or reallocates responsibilities among consultants at its remediation sites. With EQuIS, these transitions move significantly faster and more efficiently. 

“Dow Midland site transition Operations and Monitoring responsibilities resulted in 50% reduction in transition time and effort.” 

This measurable improvement shows how standardizing data, reporting, and tools within EQuIS reduces the effort required to onboard new teams or restructure scopes of work. 

Familiarizing New Consultants Faster 

Dow notes that EQuIS tools help consultant teams quickly become familiar with site‑specific characteristics, enabling immediate productivity and reducing knowledge gaps. 

This benefit becomes especially important during large-scale contract renewals, when Dow must: 

• transfer services to new consultant groups, 

• divide responsibilities across teams, and 

• help new firms rapidly understand complex historical data. 
  

Enhanced Efficiency and Better Utilization of Consultant Strengths 

With all consultants operating from the same governed data environment, Dow can better align work with each team’s strengths. The standardization also promotes consistency: 

“Consistency in governance allows all sites to be viewed through the same lens.” 

This unified view enables Dow to optimize consultant roles, eliminate redundancy, and improve overall program performance. 

A Level Playing Field for Consultant Bidding and Negotiations 

Because EQuIS provides equal access to accurate, consolidated site data, Dow can run fair and transparent contract competitions. 

Dow explains that “EQuIS access ‘levels’ the playing field during competitive bidding… All bidding consultants see the same data and can construct their bid accordingly.” 

Consultants have validated this improvement with one commenting that “having EQuIS enabled them to construct a bid with confidence and expeditiously.” 

This transparency yields more competitive pricing, better alignment of expectations, and improved outcomes for Dow. Dow also cites “better pricing granularity” during negotiations as a direct benefit. 

Strengthened Data Governance and Reduced Errors 

EQuIS enforces Dow’s global data standards, ensuring that environmental data from commercial labs and consultants is delivered consistently and accurately. 

Dow’s mandated EQuIS electronic data deliverable format, Dow_EQEDD, is uniformly applied, and commercial labs are contractually required to submit data using this format. 

The impact is substantial. Dow’s “last data audit showed 28% reduction in data errors due to EQuIS standardization and governance.” 

Better governance means fewer corrections, more reliable analytics, and improved regulatory interactions.

Data as a Strategic Asset 

Dow’s environmental team views high quality data as a core business advantage. This perspective extends beyond compliance or reporting requirements. Dow views environmental data as an asset and uses data to assess economic liability on Dow sites. They also use similar data to evaluate non-Dow sites for where Dow sees economic advantage in obtaining the site and managing the remediation process. 

EQuIS strengthens this strategy by offering governed, accessible, high-quality data that supports both risk evaluation and growth-oriented decision making.  

Significant Cost Savings Through EQuIS‑Informed Insourcing 

EQuIS enables Dow to own all work products generated in the platform (dashboards, reports, Collect forms, and automated workflows), which drives strategic flexibility. 

Dow states, “Since we possess this intellectual property, we have the flexibility to make strategic decisions, including insourcing work previously handled by our consultants.” 

This approach already delivers measurable value: 

• A recent project resulted in $100,000 annual cost saving. 

• Dow’s 1,000‑page quarterly agency report fully automated with EQuIS yields cost savings of $25,000 quarterly. 

• Automation enabled regulatory approval of paperless reporting, saving thousands of printed pages each year. 

Conclusion: A More Connected, Efficient, and Strategically Enabled Remediation Program 

By adopting EQuIS as the foundational platform for its remediation program, Dow has strengthened collaboration, operational flexibility, and data governance across its global Environmental Remediation & Restoration portfolio. The unified system has delivered measurable improvements, including: 

• 50% faster consultant transitions 

• More efficient onboarding and knowledge transfer 

• Greater operational agility through standardized tools and workflows 

• A level playing field that improves competitive bidding and pricing accuracy 

• A 28% reduction in data errors through consistent governance 

• Significant cost savings—$100,000 annually plus $25,000 each quarter 

• Full ownership of dashboards, reports, and workflows for long– term strategic control 

• The ability to leverage high quality data as a strategic asset for both liability and opportunity evaluation 

Dow summarizes the system-wide benefits clearly, “EQuIS workflow implementation enhances efficiency, improves quality, drives collaboration, and enables AI tools to use a well-structured data set.” 

Through standardized data, transparent collaboration, and ownership of intellectual property, Dow is not only improving current remediation performance but also building the foundation for future innovation including advanced automation and AI enabled remediation strategies.

To learn more about EQuIS digital workflow solutions, contact one of our representatives today. Please write info@earthsoft.com for further information.

EarthSoft and Eurofins Environment Testing US businesses (EETUS) validated a digital workflow connecting the EarthSoft EQuIS® Environmental Data Management System (EDMS) with the EETUS network LIMS with Dow-provided representative data.

EarthSoft collaborated with Eurofins Environment Testing US to enhance its network LIMS to:

• Generate and manage an electronic contract (eContract): This defines all valid analytical groups, methods, analytes, and containers for a project or group of projects. The eContract serves as a digital contract between the laboratory and the client, acting as the authoritative reference for analytical requirements.
• Automatically ingest EarthSoft eCOC XML files: This links field sampling data directly to the laboratory’s sample login and registration process, ensuring that all samples are accurately received and matched to the correct analyses.

Together, these enhancements created a seamless digital handoff across field operations, laboratory processes, and data management systems.

EarthSoft collaborated with EETUS network business to map the EQuIS eCOC format to the network LIMS, updating the eCOC specification to support integration and ensure full interoperability between platforms.

Dow contributed representative data within a test environment to validate the integrated workflow, confirming both its technical feasibility and operational value.

eContract-to-eCOC Integration Process

The eContract-to-eCOC integration process is specific to the EETUS network LIMS platform.

The EETUS network wide LIMS covers 63 laboratories nationwide, with four additional implementations planned within the next six months. This extensive adoption ensures a unified platform for environmental testing operations across the United States.

To create a new eContract, an active project must already exist in the LIMS. Within each active project, the Project Manager initiates and generates the eContract as an Excel (.XLSX) file. This file contains the approved list of analytical groups, methods, analytes, and containers for the specific project or group of projects.

• The eContract: After project analytical requirements are communicated to the laboratory, the laboratory generates an electronic quote (eContract). The eContract contains the list of methods, analytes, units, containers, and method groups. These data are then uploaded to EQuIS and used for sample planning purposes using the EQuIS Sample Planning Module (SPM).
• The eCOC: After collection of samples in the field, an electronic Chain of Custody record is generated using EQuIS Collect and submitted to the laboratory for upload to their LIMS. Digital data transactions are checked and confirmed prior to the receipt of the physical samples. EQuIS digital eCoCs offer a single commercially available format that is laboratory agnostic. The eCOCs are pre-populated prior to personnel going out in the field and are digitally transmitted to EQuIS and/or the project laboratory after sample collection is completed. Where regulations allow, paper versions of the eCOC are eliminated.
• The EDD: Following sample preparation and analysis, the laboratory creates an electronic data deliverable (EDD) and submits this file to EQuIS. EQuIS checks this EDD for correctness and provides detailed information on the EDD.

The digital workflow discussed above highlights the digital exchanges occurring between a sampling company and a laboratory. Workflows are designed to increase productivity and efficiencies. Organizations will have workflows based upon their own business goals.

• Eliminate redundant data entry and transcription
• Ensure analytical methods are correctly scheduled and applied
• Improve data accuracy, traceability, and turnaround time

It also creates the groundwork for scalable, governed environmental data exchange among consultants, laboratories, and clients.

Building on the success of this pilot, EarthSoft and Eurofins Environment Testing US (EETUS) will transition the integration into production environments and continue working with Dow to expand the digital workflow across additional sites and analytical programs.

The partners will also invite other industrial collaborators to participate in upcoming phases to further validate and refine the process. The shared objective is to accelerate adoption of standardized, digital data exchange between environmental laboratories, consultants, and enterprise systems—improving transparency, efficiency, and data integrity across the industry.

To learn more about EQuIS digital workflow solutions, contact one of our representatives today. Please write info@earthsoft.com for further information.

Navigating PFAS Data Management with Precision and Scale

As PFAS regulations evolve, environmental professionals face increasing complexity in managing data and maintaining compliance. Langan, an EarthSoft Business Partner, operates a nationwide PFAS practice—spanning over 228 projects and 162 clients—and takes a proactive, scalable approach to addressing these challenges.

Using EarthSoft’s EQuIS platform, Langan created an Enterprise PFAS Hub that streamlines data collection, regulatory tracking, and project coordination. In this presentation, Diane Escobedo (West Coast PFAS Technical Lead) and Emily Carey (West Coast Data Lead) demonstrate how Langan leverages custom reporting, state-specific expertise, and interactive tools to equip teams with accurate, up-to-date information—regardless of their location or PFAS familiarity.

Langan’s digital solutions transform PFAS data management and help clients stay ahead in a rapidly changing regulatory landscape.

Read the entire case study below.

Empowering Environmental Risk Assessment in Conflict Zones

Conflict zones present urgent and complex challenges for environmental data collection and risk assessment. NICOLE Foundation, in partnership with the ERM Foundation, EarthSoft, and Esri, and several other organizations launched a collaborative initiative to assess human health risks from agricultural use of dewatered sediments in Ukraine’s Kakhovka Reservoir.

The project team built a non-proprietary data management framework by combining strategic planning with scalable digital tools. They used EQuIS and ArcGIS technologies to create a secure, flexible system for field data collection, laboratory analysis, and visualization—despite the constraints of active conflict.

The NICOLE Foundation played a pivotal role in facilitating this effort, aligning with its mission to promote sustainable land management and environmental protection across Europe. Together, the partners empowered local stakeholders, delivered actionable insights, and laid the groundwork for future environmental campaigns in high-risk areas.

Read case study below.

Staying Compliant with PFAS Regulations

Langan delivers scalable, real-time compliance solutions. As an EarthSoft Business Partner with deep EQuIS expertise, Langan extended EQuIS specifically for PFAS data management and created PFAS Navigator Pro, a client-facing tool to visualize regulatory landscapes with interactive maps and automated regulatory screenings.

Read Langan’s article: Keeping Compliant – Langan Helps Clients Stay on Top of PFAS Regulations with EQuIS Solutions

By David Cleland, GISP, PG
Data Management and GIS Services Manager,
Groundwater & Environmental Services, Inc.

Public trust is a cornerstone of sustainable natural gas development. Responsible gas well development ensures a safe and reliable domestic energy source while minimizing adverse impacts to the public and environment. However, even the most stringently managed gas exploration project requires proactive monitoring. In this use case, groundwater protection monitoring was integrated with an existing air quality monitoring and communication program. In line with a strong commitment to transparency, the client initiated a baseline groundwater sampling program to monitor water quality in regions targeted for natural gas exploration and development. They wanted to integrate qualitative (e.g., odor, color, taste) and quantitative (e.g., pH, turbidity, metals, etc.) analyses of groundwater conditions both before and after drilling activities.

An existing public communication system had been established to present air quality metrics associated with current well development activities. Integrating groundwater quality information into this system required a solution that could provide structured data that could be displayed on a webpage or website. The deployment of the EQuIS REST API, a platform that streamlined data acquisition, storage, and transmittal, is central to this initiative. Its ability to make groundwater data available shortly after completion of laboratory analyses allowed the client to engage proactively with local communities, ensuring informed communication and fostering trust.

• Data Volume and Complexity: Monitoring thousands of groundwater samples across multiple counties generated significant amounts of heterogeneous data requiring standardized storage and analysis.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Local communities expect accessible, transparent communication of findings to understand potential environmental impacts.
• Timeliness of Data Availability: Historically delayed and siloed data access hindered proactive risk communication and stakeholder confidence.
• Regulatory Compliance: The program needed to meet state-specific environmental requirements and reporting time frames, while ensuring data accuracy and reliability.

Automated ingestion of groundwater sampling data from field notes and laboratories

GES leveraged existing EQuIS Data Gathering Engine (EDGE) forms to capture the field data, including photographs, field parameters, and sample identification. Standardized formats ensure consistent data representation across counties, sampling and validation teams, and sampling media.

Rapid data availability immediately after collection and processing allows timely decision-making. GES developed a client specific dashboard that presents the key information of their sampling program and facilitates document searching by parcel, owner, and location. EQuIS Environmental Information Agents (EIAs) are setup to automatically email the project team if field parameters or analytical results are above an established criteria.

The commitment to Radical Transparency™ is communicated through the client website (https://www.cnx.com/sustainability-radical-transparency/), providing communities with easily understood summaries of their regions’ water quality both before and during natural gas well development. This information is provided in a manner that still provides data privacy for individuals while presenting the wider community with detailed information about existing groundwater quality.

Baseline Understanding of Groundwater Quality
The program successfully establishes a robust baseline of groundwater conditions across multiple states, providing critical data to guide responsible natural gas development.

Proactive Stakeholder Engagement
Near real-time data availability empowers the client to communicate with landowners before construction began. By addressing potential risks early, the client is demonstrating their commitment to protecting local resources and communities.

Enhanced Public Engagement
Through accessible dashboards and reports, citizens gained unprecedented insight into the quality of their water and air, building trust in the client’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

The integration of the EQuIS REST API has proven instrumental in advancing the client’s Radical Transparency™ agenda. Near real-time data availability was pivotal in empowering proactive risk communication and building trust with stakeholders. By leveraging this technology, the client has set a new standard for environmental monitoring and public engagement in the natural gas industry.

Future Developments

Surface Water Sampling and Reporting: Incorporating data from surface water sources to complement groundwater monitoring, providing a more comprehensive environmental overview.

Stakeholder Engagement: Local communities expect accessible, transparent communication of findings to understand potential environmental impacts.

This EQuIS case study was prepared by Groundwater & Environmental Services, an environmental data management consultant to showcase innovative applications of the EQuIS REST API in supporting corporate social responsibility and environmental stewardship.

Contact Information

For further details on this case study or technical guidance on implementing EQuIS REST API solutions, please reach out to dcleland@gesonline.com.

EarthSoft Supports the NICOLE Foundation’s Global Mission

EarthSoft believes data drives meaningful change—especially when addressing environmental degradation and pollution. We proudly support the NICOLE Foundation, a nonprofit tackling legacy pollution in some of the world’s most vulnerable and underserved regions.

NICOLE presented at the Europe EQuIS User Group in June 2025. They showcased how EarthSoft’s EQuIS platform powers their mission across multiple high-impact environmental projects.

Who Is the NICOLE Foundation?

NICOLE leads environmental remediation in areas with limited access to expert resources. Conflict, complexity, or financial constraints often create these barriers. The Foundation partners with NGOs, public institutions, and donors to deliver world-class environmental expertise to communities facing acute pollution threats.

Their projects remain non-commercial and collaborative. They operate on the belief that everyone deserves a safe and sustainable environment.

The Digital Backbone: EQuIS in Action

NICOLE adopted a digital-first approach to coordinate stakeholders, manage complex data, and communicate scientific findings. EarthSoft’s EQuIS platform anchors this strategy.

EQuIS Enables:

• Centralized Data Management: Integrates field data, lab results, and GIS layers into one accessible environment.
• Field Data Collection: Captures real-time data using mobile apps in remote or conflict-affected areas.
• Visualization & Communication: Transforms complex data into actionable insights through ArcGIS and StoryMaps.
• Collaboration: Provides secure, customizable access to shared digital workspaces for multi-stakeholder teams.

Global Impact Projects Powered by EQuIS

UNEA Resolution 6/12

NICOLE collaborates with UNEP to develop guidance for assessing environmental damage from armed conflict. EQuIS supports data collection, risk ranking, and stakeholder engagement.

Kakhovka Reservoir, Ukraine

The destruction of the Kakhovka Dam exposed sediments that posed contamination risks. EQuIS enabled a multinational team to assess impacts, manage sediment sampling, and report findings to UNEP and local authorities.

NE Syria Oil Pollution

EQuIS helps assess oil pollution risks, build local capacity, and guide mitigation strategies in a region affected by years of conflict.

Field Tools for Real-World Challenges

The Foundation’s mobile tools—integrated with EQuIS—empower users to:

• Record environmental impacts on land and water
• Upload photos, sketches, and GPS-tagged observations
• Participate in citizen science and community-driven data collection

These tools work in low-resource environments to ensure consistent data collection under challenging conditions.

EarthSoft Business Partnership in Action: ERM and EarthSoft

ERM, a global leader in sustainability consulting and a long-standing EarthSoft partner, plays a key role in supporting several NICOLE initiatives, including the UNEA Resolution 6/12 and the Kakhovka Reservoir project in Ukraine.

Their expertise in environmental data management and digital transformation helps ensure that EQuIS is deployed effectively in complex, multi-stakeholder environments. By working alongside EarthSoft and the Foundation, ERM helps translate environmental data into actionable insights that guide remediation, risk reduction, and long-term planning.

Join the Mission

NICOLE seeks:

• Operating and project funding
• Expert volunteers and pro bono support
• Partners who believe in digital innovation for environmental justice

EarthSoft feels honored to contribute to this mission. Together, we enable recovery, resilience, and long-term environmental stewardship—not just data management.

Ukraine Dam Breach Assessment 

EarthSoft is partnering with the NICOLE Foundation to support the environmental assessment of Ukraine’s Nova Kakhovka Dam breach. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) appointed the NICOLE Foundation to lead a preliminary environmental assessment of exposed upstream sediments following the Nova Kakhovka Dam breach in June 2023.

EarthSoft supports this effort through the use of its EQuIS software, which enhances the Foundation’s environmental response. The platform equips the foundation with advanced tools to manage and analyze critical environmental data during one of the most complex disaster recovery efforts in recent history.

EQuIS Powers Data-Driven Environmental Recovery

EQuIS delivers the essential data infrastructure for this mission. The platform:

• Centralizes and validates environmental data collected from field sampling
• Visualizes contamination trends through GIS and interactive dashboards
• Produces detailed reports for stakeholders and regulatory agencies
• Ensures data quality, traceability, and governance—key pillars for reliable decision-making.

NICOLE and its partners rely on EQuIS to manage large volumes of environmental data efficiently. Each data point contributes to a clearer understanding of the environmental impact and supports long-term recovery planning.

A Model for Resilience and Collaboration

This partnership showcases the impact of advanced environmental data management and the importance of collaboration between technology providers, like EarthSoft, and environmental organizations. EQuIS transforms complex data into meaningful insights that guide sustainable recovery and long-term environmental resilience.

EKI Environment & Water, Inc. (EKI) uses EQuIS® REST API to pull EQuIS data into spreadsheets, dashboards, and GIS applications with a live connection. This case study describes how EQuIS REST API:

• Enables project team members across multiple organizations to work with a centralized database using only their Windows login credentials to access the data through a SharePoint project portal.
• Is used to visualize database metrics such as record counts and user activity.

The EKI case study details how EKI uses EQuIS REST API and the value it brings to their organization. EKI states that the REST API license is worth the additional cost because:

• It allows live data to be shared outside the EQuIS environment.
• It allows end-users to access the EQuIS data from common software applications without an EQuIS license.
• It keeps shared data current and eliminates the need to constantly update reports.
• Eliminates the question, “Is this the most current dataset?”, because the answer is always “Yes!”

Read the entire case study below.

^{Integrating EQuIS™ for Groundwater Data Management and GIS Resources to Improve Data Accessibility}

^{EQuIS Data Management and Collaboration}

^{MPCA uses EQuIS to collect, store, and manage monitoring data from various sources, including streams, lakes, groundwater, ambient air, soil, sediment, and gas. MPCA collaborated with EarthSoft to develop Lab_MN, a custom format for submitting analytical data. Lab_MN and the EQuIS Data Processor (EDP) enable laboratories to submit EQuIS-compatible analytical data to MPCA, with the EDP checking these submissions against MPCA data standards.}

^{Impact and Benefits}

^{The collaboration between these platforms enhances the quality and reliability of the data, ensuring it is up-to-date and accurate. Leveraging EQuIS data allows for the creation of numerous public-facing groundwater products, informing the public, environmental agencies, and staff. This data-driven approach enables MPCA to protect human health and the environment more effectively.}

^Conclusion

^{By integrating EQuIS and GIS resources, the MPCA has created a powerful system for managing and disseminating groundwater contamination data. This initiative not only improves data accessibility but also empowers various stakeholders to make informed decisions. The State of Minnesota, its suppliers, and EarthSoft exemplify how collaboration and technology can come together to address environmental challenges. Read more about how MPCA uses EQuIS for its groundwater contamination mapping project.}