Coal Ash Monitoring Solutions
Real-Time Data Monitoring Solutions. Regulatory Compliance.
Coal ash – also known as Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) or Coal Combustion Waste (CCW) – is one of the largest industrial waste streams in the United States. In a single year, coal-fired power plants generate over 100 million tons of ash, with significant volumes requiring long-term storage in landfills and surface impoundments.
This material contains heavy metals such as arsenic, mercury, lead, and selenium – posing long-term risks to groundwater, air quality, ecosystems, and human health.
It demands continuous, real-time monitoring to ensure the safety of operations and staff personnel.
Built for EPA CCR Compliance
The EPA Coal Ash Rule requires facilities to monitor and report on:
- Structural stability of impoundments
- Groundwater protection
- Fugitive dust and air quality
- Closure and post-closure performance
- Public reporting and transparency
Periodic visual inspections are not enough.
Compliance requires continuous, integrated monitoring systems with real-time data.
Geotechnical Monitoring
Understand What’s Happening at Surface and The Sub-Surface Conditions
Coal ash impoundments are highly sensitive to pore pressure, saturation, and seepage. Without monitoring, these conditions can lead to instability or soil liquefaction – a leading cause of failure.
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Pore Pressure & Groundwater Monitoring
- Vibrating Wire Piezometers (VWP) measure pore pressure changes
- Borehole piezometers (grouted installations) for long-term stability
- Monitoring phreatic surface along slopes and embankments
- Detecting seepage, dewatering efficiency, and groundwater trends
Soil Behaviour & Liquefaction Risk
- Geospatial and GNSS sensors to monitor surface settlement
- Monitor conditions that reduce soil strength
- Identify early warning signs of coal ash liquefaction
Subsurface Deformation
- Shape Arrays (SAAX, SAAV) monitor deep movement and slope stability
- Borehole extensometers (SPBX, MPBX) monitor surface and sub-surface settlement
Why it Matters
Increases in pore pressure reduce effective stress → loss of shear strength → potential failure.
Real-time geotechnical monitoring means using instrumentation that provides early warning, risk reduction and accurate data!
Structural Monitoring
Ensure the Integrity of Containment Systems
Coal ash is stored behind embankments, dikes, and engineered structures that must perform reliably over decades.
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Slope Stability & Movement
- Surface and subsurface slope monitoring
- Detect slope creep using instruments such as in-place inclinometers, shape arrays and AMTS
- Monitor lateral displacement of embankments and landslides with tiltmeters using our real-time early warning solutions
Deformation Monitoring
- Shape Arrays monitor track subsurface deformation
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AMTS (Automated Monitoring Total Stations) monitor:
- Surface deformation
- Feature movement
- Prism-based displacement tracking
Settlement Monitoring
- MPBX to monitor subsurface settlement
- Monitor long-term performance of closure systems
Structural Behavior
- Tiltmeters measure rotational movement of structures
- Detect tilt or angular rotation in retaining walls, dams and coal ash stacks
Vibration Monitoring
- Measure vibration impacts from nearby construction or operations
Outcome
Early detection of movement → faster response → reduced risk of failure.
Environmental Monitoring
Control Dust. Protect Communities. Stay Compliant.
Coal ash handling generates fugitive dust, making real-time air quality monitoring essential for CCR compliance.
Powered by Aeroqual PCX Technology
Specto integrates advanced particulate monitoring using Aeroqual PCX for high-accuracy dust measurement.
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- Simultaneous monitoring of: PM₁, PM₂.₅, PM₄, PM₁₀, and TSP
- Real-time alerts for exceedances
- AC or solar power kits
- Gravimetric sampling for lab validation
- High data accuracy with controlled sampling
- Optimized for harsh, remote environments
- Low maintenance with automated notifications
Weather & Site Conditions Monitoring
Environmental conditions directly impact coal ash stability and dust generation.
Weather stations measure:
- Rainfall (daily and hourly)
- Wind speed and direction
- Temperature and humidity
- Barometric pressure
Why it matters:
- Rainfall influences pore pressure and slope stability
- Wind drives dust dispersion
- Supports correlation with environmental exceedances
Result
Reliable, defensible environmental data that supports compliance and protects public health.
Connectivity & Real-Time Data Access
Wireless Monitoring Without Limits
Coal ash facilities are often large and remote. Reliable data transmission is critical.
Connectivity Solutions
- Wireless data acquisition using Worldsensing systems
- Long-range, low-power sensor connectivity
- Real-time data transmission from field to your device
- Scalable across large CCR sites, sensor distance up to 10 miles from Gateway and up to 500 sensors per Gateway
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All systems integrate into one platform for:
- Real-time visualization
- Automated alerts and thresholds
- Compliance reporting
- Remote access from any place to any device
Integrated Monitoring. One Platform.
Specto connects:
- Geotechnical sensors (VWP, borehole extensometers, IPIs, shape arrays)
- Structural systems (AMTS, tiltmeters, prisms, crack and strain gauges)
- Environmental monitoring (Air Quality monitors & weather stations)
- Wireless connectivity by Worldsensing
Why Real-Time Monitoring Matters
Coal ash risks are dynamic and influenced by:
- Heavy rainfall and storm events
- Rising groundwater levels
- Seepage and internal erosion
- Operational loading changes
- Seismic or vibration impacts
- Industrial spills
- Loss of life
Manual inspections miss change.
Real-time systems detect it instantly.
Designed for the Full Lifecycle
- Active impoundments – stability, pore pressure, dust monitoring
- Closure projects – settlement and cap performance
- Post-closure – long-term groundwater and structural monitoring
Confidence Through Data
- Accurate, defensible data
- Continuous monitoring systems
- Early warning capabilities
- Full CCR compliance support
Talk to our Experts
Plan Your Coal Ash Monitoring Strategy
Work with a team that understands coal ash monitoring, CCR compliance, and real-time systems. Real-time monitoring isn’t just about compliance. It’s about preventing the next failure.Recommended Products
Our Methodology - How We Work With You
Step 1
Discovery
We begin by learning details of your projects, including timeframe, regulations, potential issues, budget and other requirements
Step 2
Development
Once we understand your needs, we develop a turnkey, solution with hardware and software, keeping both the budget and timeframe in mind.
Step 3
Implementation
We support you every step of the way, providing hands-on equipment and software training for your team to ensure that your monitoring program is successful
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