Orange County Project Honored By National Biosolids Partnership

The National Biosolids Partnership (NBP), an alliance of the Water Environment Federation (WEF), Association of Metropolitan Sewerage Agencies (AMSA), and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has recognized the Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD), Fountain Valley, CA, as the first wastewater demonstration agency to successfully achieve independent, third-party verification of the Partnership's environmental management system (EMS) for biosolids program.

As the first wastewater agency admitted into the NBP EMS program, OCSD's achievement recognizes that the agency has been independently verified as having an effective biosolids environmental management system. OCSD's biosolids EMS was independently verified on July 17, 2003, by KEMA-Registered Quality, Inc. to conform to the NBP's EMS guidance.

"WEF is pleased with Orange County Sanitation District's successful completion and verification of the NBP EMS program," said WEF President Robert McMillon. "The Federation believes that instituting an EMS for utility management is vital to enhancing environmental excellence in local communities."

The EMS verification signifies that the Orange County Sanitation District supports excellence in biosolids management, exceeds regulatory compliance obligations, and provides meaningful opportunities for public participation.

A special presentation was held Aug. 7 at the Orange County Sanitation District's reclamation plant. Board members and the general manager were awarded a Certificate of Achievement by officials of the NBP, WEF, AMSA, and U.S. EPA. For more information on the OCSD EMS program, visit their web site at: http://www.ocsd.com/ info/biosolids/ems.asp.