Professional Documents
Culture Documents
2
Working
to Ensure Environmental
Stewardship in Local Communities
Dear Colleague:
With this letter, the National Biosolids Partnership (Partnership) notes the beginning of its
12th year and presents to you its 2008-2009 Annual Report.
This has been a challenging year for the National Biosolids Partnership. While it has been
rewarding to serve as Chair and to participate in several of the new agency certification
celebrations (including my own organization’s event in September), it also has been
disappointing to experience the effects of the economy on municipal governments. The
audit process that validates the high standards required by the NBP program is beyond the
financial reach of many participating agencies. We are hopeful of a renewal of federal
support in 2009 so that an expanded program can reach more of the Nation’s Biosolids
generators with a program that encourages better management and serves the broader
needs of the stakeholder community. To that end, we have established a working
relationship with the WEF Environmental Management Committee and plan to use the NBP
EMS as a model for encouraging more agencies to broaden their interest in using the EMS
approach to improve plant and agency operations.
3
3
My thanks to my colleagues and all who have labored to make this Partnership an effective
tool to advance better municipal management and thus encourage better public
understanding and acceptance.
Sincerely,
Richard Lanyon
Chair, National Biosolids Partnership
4
NBP LEADERSHIP
Steering Committee
Richard Lanyon, Chair, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, IL
William Bertera, Water Environment Federation (WEF)
Ken Kirk, National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA)
Richard Kuchenrither, Black & Veatch (WEF)
James Hanlon, (U.S. EPA)
James Horne, (U.S. EPA)
Robert Dominak (NACWA), Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, Cleveland, OH
Michael Moore (WEF), Orange County Sanitation District, Fountain Valley, CA
Dave Taylor, Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District, Madison, WI, and
Greg Kester, California Association of Sanitation Agencies, CA, (Advisory Committee Co-Chairs)
Gordon Garner, (Appeals Board Chair) Consultant (non-voting)
NBP Team
Tim Williams, WEF
Nick Bardis, NBP
Sam Hadeed, NBP
Pete Machno, NBP
Gene DeMichele, NBP Program Director
5
3. NBP EMS Program Status
Below are some data summarizing EMS status of NBP agencies:
6
Congratulations to the following 14 wastewater agencies that have achieved Platinum
Level status in the NBP EMS Program!
Agency State
Orange County Sanitation District CA
City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works CA
District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority DC
City of Fort Worth Water Department TX
Metro Denver Wastewater Reclamation District CO
Encina Wastewater Authority CA
City of Lawrence Department of Utilities KS
Kent County Regional Wastewater Facility DE
City of Albany Wastewater Treatment Plant OR
East Bay Municipal Utility District OR
Columbus Water Works GA
Raleigh Public Utilities Department NC
Central Davis County Sewer District - Kaysville UT
City of Grand Rapids MI
The following organizations are undergoing or are scheduled for their initial
Verification Audit in 2008-09:
7
4. EMS Platinum Level Agencies
NBP has instituted a tiered recognition program
to track agency progress in developing and
implementing an environmental management
system that has been audited by an independent
third-party auditor. The Platinum Level
designation represents the highest achievement
of biosolids management and environmental
stewardship. To achieve this designation,
certified agencies must undergo periodic interim
audits to maintain their certification in the NBP
EMS program. The NBP EMS program supports
excellence in biosolids management practices, augments regulatory compliance obligations,
environmental performance and provides meaningful opportunities for public participation.
There is growing concern that the impact of the EMS program on the education of the public
and the improvement of Biosolids management will have to be augmented by other more
visible and specific efforts to deal with the increasing number of biosolids insults (see, e.g.,
Decatur, Kern, Augusta, Wyatt and Gilbert cases; microconstituent and contaminant articles
authored by USGS; Center for Food Safety Suit against Land Application; Senate Hearing
on Pharmaceuticals). Of particular interest will be the recently completed updated Sewage
Sludge Survey and ramifications.
Amicus Brief: On June 2, the Water Environment Federation (WEF) filed an amicus curiae
(friend of the court) brief in the Kern County, California biosolids litigation that has attracted
national attention (City of Los Angeles et al v. Kern County, 509 F. Supp. 2d 865 (C.D. Cal.
2007). The brief was filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and supports
the position of three southern California public agencies that operate land application
programs in Kern County and that are asking the Appeals Court to maintain a district court
Judges ruling that allows these programs to continue.
NACWA also filed a brief supporting a number of member agencies from Southern California
in their legal battle against the ban on the land application of Biosolids. The NACWA
brief (PDF), which was filed June 2 with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in the
case City of Los Angeles v. County of Kern, supports the Association’s long-standing
position that individual municipalities should be able to choose the method of biosolids
management that works best for their communities, including the option of land application.
The outcome of the Kern County case has the potential to have a significant impact on
biosolids programs in every state, not just the Ninth Circuit, because this will be the first
appellate decision on whether biosolids bans are legal under the federal Constitution. WEF
has members who are responsible for managing biosolids programs across the country and
prepared the amicus brief to provide a review of the current science and state of practice
regarding land application.
8
6. NBP EMS Training Workshops Held in 2008
• Philadelphia, PA
• Saco, ME
• Chattanooga, TN
• Dallas, TX
• Austin, TX
Auditor Workshops: Four workshops were held in the November-December time frame.
The two Auditor Workshops were designed to instruct agencies interested in certification on
the nature of questions and the process used by the auditor in determining if the
organization has met the NBP standard.
Regional EMS Workshops: One of the new NBP programs initiated in 2008 was the
promotion of regional EMS efforts through partnerships with member associations. Two
Texas EMS 101 Workshops were presented, one in Dallas and one in Austin. The prime
mover behind the Water Environment Association of Texas (WEAT) effort was Ms. Lynne
Moss of CDM. She worked with WEAT and the NBP to create a promotional brochure, to
promote the two workshops at no expense to WEF, to arrange for Texas Commission on
Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and WEAT speakers, and to arrange for venues and
sponsorships at the two Texas locations.
Sponsors included the consulting firm of Chiang Patel and Yerby (CPY) in Dallas and the
Hornsby Bend Biosolids Management Facility in Austin (for the workshop venues), and
Alan Plummer and Associates, CDM, CPY, and G.E. Walker for breakfasts and lunches.
A special thanks also is due to Jon Shaver, certified NBP auditor, who contributed his time
as a presenter at both workshops.
9
The current wastewater-conveying and -treatment assets of the GMSC consist of 30 km of
collection sewers and tunnels, eight (8) lift stations, one (1) large automated pumping station
(capacity 265 000 m3/d) considered the largest of its kind in Atlantic Canada, and a modern
Wastewater Treatment Facility. Located in Riverview, this 115 000 m3/d Wastewater
Treatment Facility provides screening, grit removal, advanced chemically assisted primary
treatment to meet provincial guidelines for effluent BOD (12 700 kg/d) and suspended solids
(7600 kg/d) utilizing three large circular flocculation type clarifiers with integral picket
thickening, raw sludge dewatering via high solids handling centrifuges, lime stabilization of
raw sludge and odour control facilities using wet scrubbers and biofilters.
Effluent disinfection is not required under the current provincial regulatory agency Certificate
of Approval. The current serviced population is approximately 100 000 with average daily
flow for 2007 of approximately 66 000 m3/d. The raw sewage BOD and TSS are 202 mg/L
and 173 mg/L respectively. Considerable septage is also handled at the plant. The GMSC
has an existing biosolids beneficial use program which is integrated, sustainable and cost-
effective. The GMSC currently operates a biosolids management program a function of the
Wastewater Treatment Facility. The GMSC has recently completed the construction of a
biosolids composting facility to move forward the treatment facility biosolids management
program. The GMSC produces approximately 11 000 wet tonnes per year of biosolids,
(2600 dry tonnes of lime-stabilized biosolids). The composting process used by the GMSC
combines bottom aeration and a proprietary cover system referred to as the GORETM
Cover System.
8. NBP Web Page Summary
The NBP web page currently has approximately 4500 registered users who receive the
weekly e-newsletter and other related news items. It is the number 1 Internet site for
biosolids news items. The site also serves as a clearinghouse for a number of biosolids
references and contains all the NBP EMS documents. Some of the types of information
found on www.biosolids.org include:
10
10
9. Outreach and Communication with State Biosolids Coordinators
NBP staff continues regular communications with state and federal regulators through
participation in meetings and via weekly newsletters. EMS audits are required to include
regulator participation in the process. Also, certified agency celebrations are carefully
orchestrated to include local as well as state and federal regulators. The Federation again
will offer a 50% discounted Specialty Conference registration to the regulator community.
The NBP and the agency select the overall approach to be used as well as the date and
time of the certification celebration. The agency makes the decision on the posting of their
audit report or audit summary, and is provided with a list of congratulatory items available for
the celebration..
The following Punch List is shared by the NBP with the newly certified agency once the
official date of verification/certification is confirmed:
• Contact is initiated by NBP with the NBP EMS agency coordinator to coordinate
notification and request permission to post audit report on NBP web page and
announce agency certification via email blast
• NBP EMS agency certification is recognized on Partnership web page
• Newly certified agency will be notified of transition from Tier 2 to Tier 3 (certified
agency status) recognition status in NBP EMS program
• NBP Press Release is email blasted and posted on web page to over 4500
registered users. Media relations approach is agreed to by local agency. Decisions
are made on assignments, media contacts, and schedule.
• NACWA and EPA are alerted via call and email on new EMS agency certification for
appropriate publicity efforts.
• NBP staff determines from EMS coordinator who should receive congratulatory
letters from partnering organizations. NBP staff prepares congratulatory letters on
behalf on NBP and WEF
• NBP staff calls and e-mails NACWA and EPA partners requesting that
congratulatory letters be sent to certified EMS agency designated recipient
• NBP staff prepares and sends the following congratulatory items to EMS
agency contact:
o NBP EMS certification certificate and plaque(s)
o NBP EMS certification flag(s)
o NBP EMS certification banner
o Label pins
o Seal of Approval CD containing all appropriate graphics for agency use
o Hard hat stickers
o Other items requested by EMS coordinator prior to EMS celebratory event or
afterwards (lead time is needed)
11
11
• NBP staff coordinates with EMS coordinator to request an EMS Success Story be
prepared within 30 days regarding benefits of NBP participation for posting on NBP
web page and future use in annual NBP EMS Success Stories Brochure. Examples
of such testimonials are posted on the NBP web page in the NBP EMS Program
directory
• NBP staff coordinates with EMS agency coordinator regarding celebration activities
and logistics
• NBP staff contacts NBP, WEF, NACWA, and EPA regarding appropriate
representatives to attend celebration once date has been established and confirm
that representative will attend the celebration
• NBP staff contacts state and regional biosolids coordinators that respective agency
has achieved NBP certification and that a celebration is planned
• Following attendance confirmation by partnering organizations, EMS coordinator is
apprised by NBP staff
• NBP staff works with local agency to ensure that federal and state biosolids
regulators and others are invited to attend the ceremony and to determine what NBP
can do to help regulators attend the ceremony. NBP communicates with agency
EMS coordinator the importance of inviting state and regional biosolids regulators to
agency EMS celebration
• EMS agency should determine early in the planning stages who should be invited
and if local press and media should be included as well
• Any media coverage in local community should be sent to NBP to ensure that
publicity associated with agency’s EMS certification/celebration is communicated to
others in the wastewater profession
• EMS celebratory information and photos are coordinated with NBP staff and EMS
agency contact for posting on NBP web page and success story article. Agency
needs to arrange for photographer to take high-resolution photos that include several
representative group and individual photos of the NBP participants in attendance.
These photos need to be sent within a few days to NBP to ensure that they can be
used in follow up publicity on the agency certification.
12
12
11. NBP Launches Biosolids Best Practices Network Option for
Wastewater Agencies
The National Biosolids Partnership Steering Committee introduced at the 2008 WEF
Residuals & Biosolids Committee meeting during WEFTEC.08 the a new second track for
wastewater agencies interested in pursuing best biosolids management practices Biosolids
Best Practices Network. The Biosolids Best Practices Network provides the tools and
the mechanism for an organization to develop its own management system. Agencies
participating in NBP programs use their resources with support from the NBP staff to
develop and implement a comprehensive environmental management system (EMS) for
biosolids to advance public acceptance of biosolids management practices selected in their
community.
The tools provided by the NBP to an organization participating in the BBPN program are the
same tools provided to EMS candidates. The big difference between the EMS program and
the BBPN program is certification. Only organizations committing to undergo a third-party
audit of their management system may be certified. BBPN participants do not have to
commit to become certified.
Organizations participating in the BBPN must adhere to the Code of Good Practice, agree to
develop and implement an appropriate management system, and submit periodic reports. In
exchange for adhering to the 10 principles of the Code of Good Practice and committing to a
goal of developing and implementing a management system and to continuous
improvement, the BBPN offers a number of benefits in addition to those associated with the
management system itself. It provides participating agencies with the information and
support they need to develop and implement a rigorous and relevant management system,
offers the benefit of being part of a larger cadre of national organizations and being
associated with other U.S. leaders in solids management, and provides products and
services to promote awareness of technical and community issues.
13
13
14
14
100 Wastewater Agencies/Organizations Participating in NBP
Environmental Management System (EMS) for Biosolids Program
(as of 12-3-08)
ALABAMA (1)
* Montgomery Water Works and Sanitary Sewer Board - Montgomery, AL
ARIZONA (2)
City of Phoenix - Phoenix, AZ (March 2005)
CALIFORNIA (8)
15
* Orange County Sanitation District - Fountain Valley, CA (certified 7-17-03)
Deirdre Hunter Bingman dbingman@ocsd.com
Rachel VanExcel rvanexcel@ocsd.com
* City of Los Angeles Dept of Public Works - Los Angeles, CA (certified 9-4-03)
Derrick K. Lee dklee@san.lacity.org
COLORADO (2)
16
16
DELAWARE (1)
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
FLORIDA (4)
City of Chiefland - Chiefland, FL (1-5-04)
GEORGIA (1)
17
IDAHO (1)
City of Lewiston Public Works Department- Lewiston, ID (5-1-06)
ILLINOIS (2)
INDIANA (3)
City of Elkhart Wastewater Treatment Facility - Elkhart, IN (9-13-04)
IOWA (1)
City of Des Moines Wastewater Reclamation Facility- Des Moines, IA (4-8-05)
18
18
KANSAS (1)
KENTUCKY (1)
MAINE (5)
City of Bangor Wastewater Treatment - Bangor, ME (1-5-04)
Jeff McBurnieJeff.McBurnie@InnovativeEarthSolutions.com
New England Organic's Hawk Ridge Composting Facility - Unity Plantation, ME (January
2007)
MARYLAND (2)
Anne Arundel County - Annapolis, MD (January 2007)
19
Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission - Laurel, MD
Vacant
MASSACHUSETTS (2)
Town of Erving - Erving, MA (February 2007)
MICHIGAN (8)
City of Battle Creek - Battle Creek, MI (February 2005)
20
20
MINNESOTA (1)
City of Mankato - Mankato, MN (2-15-05)
MISSOURI (1)
* KCMO Water Services - Kansas City, MO
MONTANA (1)
City of Helena - Helena, MT (10-3-05)
Resource Management Inc. Residuals Management Facility - New Hampton, NH (May 2007)
21
NEW YORK (1)
* County of Onondaga Department of Drainage and Sanitation - Syracuse, NY
OHIO (2)
OREGON (2)
22
22
Tri-City Service District/Water Environment Services of Clackamas County - Oregon
City, OR (certified 8-31-07)
PENNSYLVANIA (5)
Annville Township Authority - Annville, PA (1-5-04)
Vacant
TENNESSEE (8)
Athens Utilities Board - Athens, TN (January 2007)
23
23
City of Chattanooga Department of Public Works - Chattanooga, TN (April 2005)
TEXAS (2)
UTAH (4)
Timpanogos Special Service District - American Forks, UT (5-25-04)
24
24
Central Davis County Sewer District - Kaysville, UT (certified 11-5-07)
VERMONT (2)
* Town of Brattleboro Wastewater Treatment Facility - Brattleboro, VT
VIRGINIA (4)
25
25
WASHINGTON (8)
City of Everett - Everett, WA
WISCONSIN (4)
* City of Appleton Wastewater Treatment Plant - Appleton, WI
26
26
* Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District - Milwaukee, WI
CANADA
*Initial 27 charter POTWs participating in the National Biosolids Partnership EMS for biosolids
demonstration program
Denotes agency that has been received NBP EMS program certification through successful
verification of their EMS for biosolids
27
27