| Environmental Management System |
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| 1. |
What is an Environmental Management System? |
| An Environmental Management System (EMS) provides a standardized and consistent framework to ensure that environmental activities are managed effectively. The fundamental EMS framework is established by International Standard ISO 14001. An EMS is based on the principle of the Continual Improvement Cycle (Plan- Do- Check- Act), which is a management process that has been applied successfully by many manufacturing and service organizations to improve the quality of their activities, products and services, and to manage environmental compliance. |
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| 2. |
Why is the WSSC embarking on an EMS for its Biosolids? |
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- Biosolids are now considered as a product (not a byproduct) of our wastewater treatment operations, and must continue to be managed properly from initial collection through all stages of handling, processing, transportation and ultimate end-use.
- Proper management of Biosolids supports the WSSC's broader mission of environmental stewardship and public health protection.
- A Biosolids EMS goes beyond regulatory compliance by addressing unregulated environmental aspects (e.g., odors, traffic etc.).
- The WSSC wants to keep its customers, stakeholders and employees informed about its Biosolids operations, and to solicit their input and feedback - the EMS is subject to third-party audit with the results open to public review.
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| 3. |
What is the goal of the Biosolids EMS? |
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The objectives of the Biosolids EMS are to improve and maintain:
- Quality management practices
- Regulatory compliance
- Environmental performance
- Relations with interested parties
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| 4. |
How is the WSSC developing its Biosolids EMS? |
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- The WSSC, with a group of other water and sewerage agencies nationwide, is pioneering this new Biosolids EMS as a participant in a demonstration project sponsored by the National Biosolids Partnership (NBP) - which includes the Association of Metropolitan Sewerage Agencies (AMSA), the Water Environment Federation (WEF), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
- The WSSC signed a Letter of Understanding with the NBP, and is committed
to following the NBP's Code of Good Practice, and implementing an EMS for
our Biosolids.
- The WSSC has directed significant staff and financial resources to our
EMS.
- Training and development work on our EMS began in May 2002. Implementation
began at our Parkway plant in April 2005. The first audit occurs about six
months after EMS implementation.
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| 5. |
What is my role in the WSSC's Biosolids EMS? |
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The WSSC requests meaningful input and comments on our Biosolids program
from interested parties.
- If you want to receive periodic updates and information about our Biosolids
EMS program, you can be added to our list of interested parties.
- If you want to provide us with your comments or suggestions for improvement,
have an idea to offer as a future goal or objective, or have a question or
complaint about our Biosolids program, please contact:
Steve Gerwin or contact him directly at (301)206-7448
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