NPDES Data Visualization Dashboard Rev4

centralssLab CertData DashboardNPDES Data Visualization Dashboard Rev4.docx
Use of Wisconsin National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Data Visualization
Dashboard
Revision 4
Date: 06OCT16
Introduction: The following procedure describes the use of a macro-enabled MS Excel file programed to extract
and graphically represent NPDES monitoring data submitted to the State of Wisconsin. This file was created
because the present data analysis program, SWAMP, is limited in its data visualization capabilities. NPDES
data is examined by both Laboratory Certification Program Auditors as well as Waste Water Program
Discharge Data Reviewers.

1) Locate and open the file
a) Navigate to the folder centralssLab CertData Dashboard and select the most recent file version.
The current file version is “NPDES WW Data Dashboard v30jul15.xlsm”. After opening the file, the user
will see the following warning:
Click the “Enable Content” button
2) Conduct a “Save as”. Give the file a unique name and save on your local computer.
3) Choose Facility
a) Navigate to the “Facilities” tab
b) Click on the arrow in cell B3
c) The select box will open as seen below:
d) Because the list of facilites exceeds 10,000 rows, the “Search” box will only return results from the first
10,000 rows. Due to this limitation, do not use the “Search” box. Instead, click on “Text Filters”and
select “Contains”

e) The “Custom Autofilter” box will appear
f) Enter enough information in the search box so the facility of intereset is returned as the top result.
g) The selected facility will be displayed in cell D2. For example purposes in this SOP, the West Salem
Treatment Plant is selected.
4) Select Start Date
a) Navigate to the “Choose Facility and Date” tab. The facility selected in step one will be displayed.

b) Use the date picker in cell D5 to select the data set starting point. The set will include data from the
date selected to the present.
5) Initiate Data Extraction
a) Click on the “Get the Data” button. Clicking the button triggers a macro that refreshes the data set
query using the facility and starting date the user specified. The macro also selects the “Data Set from
Query” tab for the user.
b) On the lower right of the screen the user will see a notice indicating that Excel is “Waiting for the query
to be executed…”
c) After a moment, the user will be prompted to input their Oracle credentials. Input User Name and
Password and press “Enter” on the keyboard or the “OK” button on the screen.
d) In the lower left corner of the screen the user will see a notice that Excel is “Running background
query…”

e) After a period of time, the refreshed data set will appear. The amount of time the data set takes to
appear will increase with size of the data set selected. That is, the farther back in time the starting
date, the longer the query will take to run.
f) When the query has ended, the name of the selected facility will appear under the SITE_NAME
heading in Colum K
6) Refresh Pivot Chart
a) On the “Data Set from Query” tab push the “Refresh Chart” button.
b) Clicking the button initiates a macro that will refresh the pivot chart derived from the data set. The
macro will also change the user’s view to the “”Pivot Chart” tab. Additionally, the macro is programed
to remove the lines connecting the data points in the pivot chart. The pivot chart will look similar to the
following graphic:

7) Use Pivot Chart to change data view
a) The Field Buttons can be used to filter the data shown in the pivot chart.
There is also a Field Botton at the bottom left of the chart which can be utilized to filter the date.
b) By changing the Field button settings and utilizing the Pivot Chart Tools within Excel, data trends,
relationships, etc. can be seen. For example, the relationship between BOD, TSS, and flow rate can be
viewed as in the chart below:

Or, the relationship between flow rate and Total Phosphorus:

c) More on how to use pivot charts can be found in the Excel Help section as well as online training
offered via through Lynda.com. More Information on Lynda.com can be found at
http://intranet.dnr.state.wi.us/HR/training/lynda/
Further question can be directed to:
Dave Ekern
Audit Chemist – Bureau of Science Services
Phone: (608) 785-6364
david.ekern@wisconsin.gov

NPDES Data Visualization Dashboard Rev4

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