city of lawrence environmental management system (ems) for ... presentation.pdf · city of lawrence...

City of Lawrence Environmental Management System

(EMS) for Biosolids

For more information contact:

Jeanette Klamm(785) 832-7846jklamm@ci.lawrence.ks.us

BackgroundNBP 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 PracticesNational Manual of Good PracticesEnvironmental 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 biosolidsmanagement 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 with Interested

PartiesEstablish and

maintain credibility

Good Management Practices

Ensure consistent product quality

Better Regulatory Compliance

Meet or exceed compliance with

regulatory requirements

Better Environmental Performance

Protect the environment for future

generations

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 documentation manual

• Biosolids management policy• Critical control points• Legal and other requirements• Goals and objectives• Public participation• Roles and responsibilities• Training• Communication

• Emergency response and preparedness• Documentation and document control• Monitoring and measurement• Nonconformances• Biosolids management program

performance reporting• Internal auditing• Management review

When developing an EMS, agencies need to consider the entire biosolids value chain

Wastewater collection and 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 3rd 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 Klammjklamm@ci.lawrence.ks.us(785) 832-7846

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