Three national distinctions obtained by City of Lawrence Department of Utilities

Program Certification

National Biosolids Partnership Environmental Management System Certification

On October 12, 2005, Lawrence officially became the tenth wastewater agency in the nation to be certified under the National Biosolids Partnership’s Environmental Management System program. To achieve certification, the City of Lawrence underwent a third party audit, which was completed in mid September. The third party audit verifies that the agency meets the requirements for certification by supporting excellence in biosolids management practices, exceeding regulatory compliance obligations, and providing meaningful opportunities for public participation.

• Biosolids are nutrient-rich treated solids derived from the wastewater treatment process, which are suitable for recycling/reuse, usually as a fertilizer or soil amendment. Through the biosolids beneficial reuse program, the city provides biosolids to farmers as a fertilizer for area farm fields. The nutrients and organic matter in biosolids are beneficial to growing crops. Seasonal give-aways of more extensively treated and tested biosolids are also made available to local gardeners.

• The National Biosolids Partnership is an alliance of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies and Water Environment Federation and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Partnership was formed in 1997 to advance environmentally sound and accepted biosolids management practices and essentially “raise the bar” by developing a comprehensive EMS for biosolids that serves as a model for the wastewater profession.

• Lawrence participated in the development of the NBP’s EMS program as one of the original 27 charter demonstration agencies. Currently more than 80 demonstration agencies are participating in the program. Certification is an outstanding accomplishment and milestone in the on-going commitment that Lawrence has made in implementing and maintaining their EMS and continued improvement of their biosolids program.

• The NBP’s Environmental Management System is modeled after ISO 14001 and is intended to help industry stakeholders voluntarily increase the level of performance practices. The EMS provides standards for all treatment processes that lead to biosolids production and handling, including pretreatment, liquid and solids treatment, handling, storage, transportation, and reuse.

• Lawrence expects to see an increase in productivity, quality of service, public confidence, and program improvements as a result of participation. The EMS certification demonstrates biosolids products meet market and regulatory standards and involves the community in establishing performance standards. It assists in more effectively meeting existing regulatory obligations and can lead to greater efficiency and cost reduction.

• As the tenth certified agency in the nation, Lawrence joins the ranks of Orange County, CA; Los Angeles, CA; King County (Seattle), WA; Madison, WI; Denver, CO; Butler County, OH; Fort Worth, TX; Washington Area Sanitary Authority (WASA), D.C.; and Encina, CA.

Awards

EPA National Clean Water Act Recognition Awards

Operations and Maintenance Excellence (Large Facilities) - First Place

Exemplary Biosolids Management (Small Projects) – First Place

Annually the EPA recognizes municipalities for demonstrating outstanding technological achievements or innovative process, method or device in their waste treatment programs. The objectives of the awards program are to educate the public about the contributions that publicly-owned wastewater treatment facilities make to clean water; to encourage public support for municipal efforts in effective wastewater management and biosolids management; and to recognize communities that go much beyond the minimum needed to meet Clean Water Act requirements. The National EPA Awards are the highest form of recognition for the wastewater industry, like the Emmy’s of wastewater.
 
On October 31, the City of Lawrence was honored in two awards categories at the EPA National Clean Water Act Recognition Awards Ceremony. Recognition with two awards is an extraordinary, if not unprecedented, accomplishment.  

· The Operation and Maintenance Award recognizes outstanding and innovative technological achievements, proactive involvement of wastewater facility staff, outstanding compliance with regulatory requirements, and program/system sustainability.  
 
· The Biosolids Management Award recognizes outstanding biosolids management programs on the basis of sustainability, public acceptance efforts, environmental sensitivity, and regulatory compliance beyond the requirements.
 
Nov. 2005