OCSD Honored as Nation’s First Certified Biosolids Environmental Management System.

The Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD), Fountain Valley, CA was honored at a ceremony on Thursday, August 7, 2003 as the first public wastewater agency in the nation to receive national certification of its Environmental Management System (EMS) for biosolids. District leaders were recognized by officials from the National Biosolids Partnership, WEF, AMSA, and the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

"The Environmental Management System is a modern management approach based on continuous improvement and environmentally sustainable practices”, said OCSD General Manager Blake Anderson. “The program reaffirms the mission of this agency to protect the public health and environment through world-class leadership in wastewater and resource management.”

“It gives me great pleasure to join the National Biosolids Partnership (NBP) in honoring the Orange County Sanitation District for its recent national certification of their Environmental Management System for biosolids,” in a letter from Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA). “OCSD’s dedication to excellence makes this organization truly deserving of this certification. As the first such organization of its kind in the country, this credential distinguishes the OCSD’s exemplary management practices and commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for public participation. This achievement truly stands out as an inspiration to other organizations that will follow in OCSD’s footsteps,” Feinstein added.

The certification program was developed by the National Biosolids Partnership in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Water Environment Federation, and the Association of Metropolitan Sewerage Agencies.

"The NBP is pleased with Orange County Sanitation District’s successful completion and verification of the NBP EMS program," said NBP Chair Robert Hite. "The Partnership believes The Orange County Sanitation District EMS was independently certified by KEMA-Registered Quality Inc. to meet all regulatory compliance obligations, utilize good management practices, and create meaningful opportunities for public participation. In addition, the audit team noted OCSD operational controls meet or exceed best management practices recommended in the “National Manual of Good Practice." that instituting an EMS for utility management is vital to enhancing environmental excellence in local communities.
The EMS verification signifies that OCSD meets the requirements for admittance to the NBP EMS program and supports excellence in biosolids management practices, exceeds regulatory compliance obligations, and provides meaningful opportunities for public participation."

"Thank you for leadership and for the important milestone the Orange County Sanitation District has reached. The Office of Water looks forward to working with the District and learning from your experience in implementing this important program" said G. Tracy Mehan, III, Assistant Administrator for Water, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. "This is an important accomplishment which will hopefully pave the way for even greater adoption of EMSs by water and wastewater utilities."

“Congratulations to you and the staff of Orange County Sanitation District on the successful completion of the requirements for admittance to the NBP environmental management system program and the effort that has been made to satisfy the Partnership’s requirements – Documentation, Commitment, Operation, and Verification. The District has done a terrific job! It is likely the first audited facility will be viewed as a model by those POTWs following the EMS path, said William Bertera, Executive Director, WEF.

“I would like to personally thank you for volunteering to be the first agency to fully test this new program through the verification process. It is a remarkable achievement for your agency and for the real beneficiaries of the program -- the people and businesses served by the Orange County Sanitation District. Congratulations, again, to you, your Board and all of the dedicated employees at the Orange County Sanitation District who are responsible for achieving this great success. Said Ken Kirk, Executive Director, AMSA.

Jason Morrison, Program Director for the Pacific Institute for Studies in Development, Environment, and Security in Oakland, CA said, "The NBP EMS represents a notable step forward for industry-sponsored environmental improvement initiatives. Interested parties nationally and locally should view the NBP EMS Program as a progressive, credible effort, the certification to which demonstrates a biosolids organization’s commitment and capacity to deliver consistent regulatory compliance, increased communication with interested parties, and continual improvement in all aspects of biosolids management."

For more information on the Orange County Sanitation District’s EMS program, visit:
http://www.ocsd.com For more information on the NBP, visit: http://www.biosolids.org

OCSD Press Release (pdf) - 28KB.
WEF Press Release (pdf) - 32KB.
EPA Letter (pdf) - 178KB.
NBP Letter (pdf) - 91KB.
AMSA Letter (pdf) - 19KB.
WEF Letter (pdf) - 143KB.
Synagro Letter (pdf) - 45KB.

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