Clean Water Advocacy - News Releases - August 19, 2004
For Immediate Release: August 19, 2004
Contact: Lee Garrigan: 202/833-4655, AMSA
King County Department of Natural Resources Completes Biosolids Certification
The Association for Metropolitan Sewerage Agencies (AMSA) is pleased to
recognize King County’s Wastewater Treatment Division in the Department of
Natural Resources and Parks, Seattle, Washington, on its third-party audit
certification for its biosolids Environmental Management System (EMS). The EMS
is a key National Biosolids Partnership (NBP) program. NBP was founded by AMSA,
the Water Environment Federation (WEF), and the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA), to promote the safe and effective reuse of biosolids. By
implementing this set of national management protocols, King County has
demonstrated its dedication to its community and advancing environmentally sound
and accepted biosolids management practices.
A presentation ceremony will be held on Thursday, August 26, 2004, at 11:00 a.m. at the King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson St., Seattle, Washington, where King County Executive Ron Sims will accept the Certificate of Achievement from EPA and NBP officials for completing the EMS program.
The EMS program allows publicly owned treatment works (POTWs) to achieve higher standards that go beyond the already stringent federal criteria for biosolids; improve communications with the general public; ensure protection of public health; tailor biosolids management practices to community needs and environmental performance concerns; and gain public acceptance.
As Ken Kirk, AMSA’s Executive Director, noted “This is an important step in the NBP’s goal of ensuring the broad implementation of sound biosolids management programs and AMSA is proud to recognize King County as only the third clean water facility to complete this EMS certification process. This is a remarkable achievement for King County and for the people and businesses they serve.”
Again, AMSA congratulates King County on achieving EMS status and completing this rigorous certification process. It is the Association’s hope that the success enjoyed by King County will be an inspiration to other public utilities to implement the EMS program. Currently, there are over 60 agencies enrolled in the NBP EMS program and AMSA believes King County’s success will lead to more enrollments in the program.
AMSA is a national trade association representing hundreds of the nation's publicly owned wastewater treatment utilities. AMSA members serve the majority of the sewered population in the United States and collectively treat and reclaim over 18 billion gallons of wastewater every day. AMSA members are environmental practitioners dedicated to protecting and improving the nation's waters and public health.
1816 Jefferson Place, Washington, DC 20036-2505 • 202.833.AMSA • 202.833.4657 FAX