National Biosolids Partnership declares 2003 a successful year for program
Feb. 10, 2004 -- The NBP 2003-2004 Annual Report has been released and is available for viewing on the partnership's web site - http://www.biosolids.org.
The NBP focuses on providing objective, technically accurate and environmentally sound biosolids management information. The partnership is encouraging wastewater treatment agencies to implement an environmental management system (EMS) that helps the public understand and accept local biosolids management practices.
The annual report highlights the NBP's accomplishments during 2003, action plan for 2004, how the EMS program is benefiting the demonstration agencies, and other related information.
In 2003, the partnership recognized the first two agencies that successfully achieved verification of their EMS programs by independent, third-party auditors: Orange County Sanitation District, Fountain Valley, CA and the City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works, Los Angeles, CA. In 2004, an additional 12-15 agencies will undergo verification of their EMS programs.
Also in 2003, 14 additional public agencies made the commitment to join the Code of Good Practice Club and participate as EMS candidates.
To date, 62 agencies are participating and have begun to see many benefits, including better internal staff coordination, public participation, and community relations (see a complete listing of participating agencies on the NBP web site at http://biosolids.policy.net/newsroom/).
Goals for 2004
During 2004, in addition to helping agencies develop site-specific EMSs, staff from the NBP-partnering organizations will continue to meet and conduct outreach to other audiences such as national environmental groups, community groups, academic institutions, agricultural and public health organizations to explain the EMS program and its benefits.
The EMS "self-help" training program, which was created in fall 2003, will also serve as an important communications tool to ensure that not only wastewater agencies understand the program but external groups as well.
The goal of such broader communications efforts is to gain public confidence and participation, demonstrate the openness of agency programs, and emphasize the focus on environmental results.
The NBP web site - www.biosolids.org - currently has more than 3200 registered users who receive regular email blasts on timely biosolids-related information. The site also receives a monthly average of over 15,000 visitors and serves as an invaluable communications resource for biosolids information for water quality professionals, public, media and trade press.
In 2004, the NBP's weekly electronic biosolids update will include profiles of demonstration agencies that highlight their progress and the benefits of implementing an EMS. Such profiles also will be posted in a "success stories" section of the Web site, along with other general information such as frequently asked questions intended to help the public and trade press better understand biosolids-related issues.
The partnership also plans for the Code of Good Practice Club to have 100 wastewater agencies by the end of 2004 and for 12-15 of these organizations to graduate from the demonstration phase by undergoing a third-party audit of their EMS program with the objective of receiving the NBP "seal of approval." Continued congressional funding will ensure that the EMS program can be expanded to involve more wastewater agencies throughout the country.
Lessons learned from the first EMS verification graduates in 2003-2004 will serve as the framework for completing and refining the final NBP EMS Blueprint model for the wastewater profession.
Expectations are that national and local interested parties ultimately will view the NBP program as a progressive, credible effort clearly demonstrating a biosolids organization's commitment and capacity to deliver consistent regulatory compliance, effective and meaningful communication, and continual environmental improvement.
To view the report, click on the cover icon on the lower right side of the home page or by clicking on the link below. The PDF file is best viewed and printed using Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.0 or higher.
NBP 2003-2004 Annual Report - http://biosolids.policy.net/relatives/27342.pdf
What does it mean to be an NBP Certified Agency?
In order to be admitted and certified to the National Biosolids Partnership's World Class Biosolids Environmental Management System Program, an organization must meet five requirements.
1. The agency has documented its responsibility for the Biosolids Value Chain-pretreatment, treatment and final use;
2. The agency has committed to the 10 principles in the National Biosolids Partnership's Code of Good Practice;
3. The agency operates a Biosolids Environment Management System that meets all the National Biosolids Partnership's requirements;
4. The agency has committed to make continual improvements in their Environmental Management System for environmental performance; regulatory compliance; public participation; and quality biosolids management practices; and
5. The agency has successfully completed a fully independent audit of its Environmental Management System and has been verified by a National Biosolids Partnership's accredited company.
The NBP Seal of Approval means that the agency has been certified by the NBP
About the National Biosolids Partnership web site
The http://www.biosolids.org web site is the #1 search engine site for biosolids on the Internet and has over 3200 registered users and attracts an average of 15,000 visitors per month. A weekly electronic newsletter, EMS documents, and other biosolids resources and links are posted on the NBP web site.
The site continues to serve as an invaluable communications resource for biosolids information for water quality professionals and the public.