CARLSBAD, CA, Sept. 13, 2005 -- The National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) is pleased to recognize the Encina Wastewater Authority (EWA), Carlsbad, Calif., on its third-party audit certification for its biosolids Environmental Management System (EMS). The EMS is a key National Biosolids Partnership (NBP) program. NBP was founded by NACWA, the Water Environment Federation (WEF), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to promote the safe and effective reuse of biosolids. By implementing this set of national management protocols, Encina has demonstrated its dedication to its community and advancing environmentally sound and accepted biosolids management practices.
A presentation ceremony will be held on Wed., Sept. 21, at 8:00 a.m. at the facility, 6220 Avenida Encinas, Carlsbad, Calif. Layne Baroli and Deirdre Bingham of Orange County Sanitation District, Fountain Valley, Calif., will represent NACWA at the ceremony to read the Association's congratulatory letter and assist in the presentation of the Certificate of Achievement for completing the EMS program to the EWA Board of Directors.
Orange County was the first public agency to receive NBP certification for the EMS program, which allows clean water agencies to achieve higher standards that go beyond the already stringent federal criteria for biosolids; improve communications with the general public; ensure protection of public health; tailor biosolids management practices to community needs and environmental performance concerns; and gain public acceptance.
As Ken Kirk, NACWA's executive director, noted "This is an important step in the NBP's goal of ensuring the broad implementation of sound biosolids management programs and NACWA is proud to recognize Encina as a leader in biosolids management. This is a remarkable achievement for EWA and for the people and businesses they serve."
Again, NACWA congratulates Encina on achieving EMS status and completing this rigorous certification process. It is the Association's hope that their success will be an inspiration to other public utilities to implement the EMS program. Currently, there are over 70 agencies in 31 states enrolled in the NBP EMS program. Visit the NBP website (www.biosolids.org) for more information on the EMS program.
NACWA (www.nacwa.org) is a national trade association representing hundreds of the nation's publicly owned wastewater treatment utilities. NACWA members serve the majority of the sewered population in the United States and collectively treat and reclaim over 18 billion gallons of wastewater every day. NACWA members are environmental practitioners dedicated to protecting and improving the nation's waters and public health.
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