City of Lawrence Environmental Management System (EMS) for Biosolids For more information contact: Jeanette Klamm (785) 832-7846 jklamm@ci.lawrence.ks.us
Background NBP is an alliance of the National Association of Clean Water Associations (NACWA), Water Environment Federation (WEF), and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). NBP Program Goals • Advance environmentally sound and accepted biosolids management practices • Gain public acceptance of biosolids
To help agencies like Lawrence achieve these goals, the NBP has developed several tools. Three important tools are: National Code of Good Practices National Manual of Good Practices Environmental Management System(EMS)
The Code of Good Practice • A set of 10 principles and strategic biosolids industry goals that emphasis best practices, communication and the implementation of environmentally sound management practices. • Examples: Agencies that follow the Code of Good Practice agree to develop contingency and emergency response plans for unanticipated events such as inclement weather, spills and equipment malfunctions.
Manual of Good Practice • Designed to support agencies in the development of biosolids management programs and environmental management systems The Manual: - Links all processes that impact a biosolids management program - Recommendations to allow agencies to “raise the bar” relative to biosolids management - Highlights items that should be considered by biosolids management programs and during development of and EMS - Identifies sources of additional supporting information
Environmental Management Systems • An EMS is a standardized and comprehensive framework that agencies can follow to assure that biosolids related activities are effectively managed. The remainder of the presentation focuses on environmental management systems.
A Biosolids EMS Promotes Four Key Outcomes Improved Relations Good Management with Interested Practices Parties Ensure consistent Establish and product quality maintain credibility Better Regulatory Better Environmental Compliance Performance Meet or exceed Protect the compliance with environment for future regulatory generations requirements
Agencies with an EMS commit to: • An integrated approach to program management • Going beyond simply meeting regulatory requirements • A process of continual improvement • Independent third party verification
What areas does an EMS address? An EMS must address 17 different areas of program operation. These areas fall into the following general categories: – Policy – Planning – Implementation – Measurement and Corrective Action – Management Review
The 17 specific areas that an EMS covers are as follows: • Development of an EMS • Emergency response and preparedness documentation manual • Documentation and document control • Biosolids management policy • Monitoring and measurement • Critical control points • Nonconformances • Legal and other requirements • Biosolids management program • Goals and objectives performance reporting • Public participation • Internal auditing • Roles and responsibilities • Management review • Training • Communication
When developing an EMS, Wastewater agencies need to consider the collection and entire biosolids value chain pretreatment Wastewater treatment and solids generation Solids stabilization, conditioning and handling Solids storage and transportation Biosolids end use
NBP National EMS Demonstration Program •Currently 80+ wastewater treatment facilities are participating in the program •Facilities agree to develop and implement an EMS •Facilities agree to provide feedback to NBP that can be used to “fine tune” EMS tools •NBP provides support and guidance City of Lawrence is one of the initial 27 charter agencies for the EMS demonstration program.
Where is the City of Lawrence in the EMS Development Process? • An EMS Manual has been developed that addresses all 17 EMS elements. • The City conducted a joint EMS readiness assessment with NBP and CH2MHill (our EMS account executive assigned by the NBP). • Currently operating under our EMS plan. We received an independent 3 rd party audit in September 2005, • which verified our EMS program. • The National Biosolids Partnership issued certification on October 12, 2005.
What Happens Next? • We will continue to follow our EMS. • We expect to “fine tune” the EMS as we gain some experience with our EMS. • An interim audit will be scheduled for years 1 and 3. The City may receive approval to substitute internal audits for years 2 and 4. • A full verification audit is required every 5 years.
For more information • Visit the National Biosolids Partnership’s website www.biosolids.org • Contact Jeanette Klamm jklamm@ci.lawrence.ks.us e e p p a a D D p p r r D D e e a a r r t t e e t t e e m m m m c c c c n n e e n n e e e e n n e e n n r r t t r r t t w w w w o o (785) 832-7846 o o f f a a a a f f L L U U L L U U t t t t f f i i f f i i o o l l o o l l i i i i t t y y t t y y i i i i t t e e t t e e i i s s i i C C s s C C
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