Streamlining the Flow of Essential Environmental Information
CSC supports the EPA’s environmental collection and analysis effort. A key program in this area is the Central Data Exchange (CDX) (download PDF, 401 KB). Launched in 2002, CDX offers a fast, easy and secure way for information sharing between the EPA and its partners: state governments, American Indian tribes, local governments and regulated industry. Built by a EPA/CSC team using the latest technologies, CDX supports submissions for critical information on air, water, waste and toxic substances through the Environmental Information Exchange Network (Exchange Network) to the EPA.
CSC’s partnership with the EPA on CDX has created 48 production data flows. Several more are planned or currently in development. Among the critical programs that the EPA/CSC collaboration has produced are:
- Verify: a Web-based engine and vehicle and compliance system
- Safe Drinking Water Accession and Review System (SDWARS) (download PDF, 411 KB): an automated system that monitors contaminants in public water systems
- TRI-MEweb (download PDF, 456 KB): an Internet-based application using CDX for electronic submission of Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) reporting forms
- Risk Management Plan (RMP): a Web-based system that ensures that facilities have plans in place to prevent and respond to chemical emergencies
CSC is also playing an important role in integrating emerging technologies into CDX. Examples includes:
- Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA): with its component-based, reusable services, SOA has reduced development and maintenance costs and sped the introduction of new services
- Next Generation Node: . a new open-source tool that allows Exchange Network partners to gather, publish and share data
- CDX-Lite (download PDF, 264 KB): a streamlined approach to developing and maintaining EPA program data flows
- GIS Integration (download PDF, 395 KB): includes an environmental metadata editor that allows geospatial data to be shared across EPA, states and other agencies
The EPA/CSC team’s work on CDX and the Exchange Network has been recognized for excellence. The team has won seven major EPA awards and two Government Computer News awards.
Download a brochure about the Central Data Exchange (PDF, 401 KB).