OCSD Honored as Nation's First Certified Biosolids Environmental Management System

The Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD) is the first public wastewater agency in the nation to receive national certification of its environmental management system (EMS) for biosolids.

A special presentation will be held at 3:30 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 7, 2003, at the Orange County Sanitation District's reclamation plant. The plant is located at 10844 Ellis Ave., Fountain Valley, CA. District leaders will be recognized by Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez and officials from the National Biosolids Partnership 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."

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."

"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, United States 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."

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

Source: Orange County Sanitation District