Clean Water Advocacy - News Releases - September 11, 2003
For Immediate Release: September 11, 2003
Contact: Lee Garrigan, 202/833-4655, AMSA
City of Los Angeles, Bureau of Sanitation Completes Biosolids Certification
The Association for Metropolitan Sewerage Agencies (AMSA) is pleased to
recognize the City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works Bureau of
Sanitation, California, as the second public wastewater agency in the nation to
receive third-party audit certification for its biosolids Environmental
Management System (EMS). The EMS program is part of the National Biosolids
Partnership (NBP), 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 successfully implementing this set of national
management protocols, the City of Los Angeles has demonstrated its commitment to
having an effective biosolids management system.
A recognition ceremony for the Bureau of Sanitation will be held on Monday, September 15, at 9:30am at the Board of Public Works Hearing Room, City Hall, Los Angeles, California.
AMSA’s Executive Director, Ken Kirk, congratulated the City of Los Angeles saying “AMSA commends the City of Los Angeles on its completion of the rigorous EMS certification process and its commitment to advancing environmentally sound biosolids management practices. We are looking forward to additional agencies following in the footsteps of the City of Los Angeles and completing the EMS certification process.”
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. The Bureau of Sanitation was independently certified by KEMA-Registered Quality, Inc., on September 4, to meet all regulatory compliance obligations. The City of Los Angeles joins the Orange County Sanitation District (OCSD) as the only two wastewater agencies to have successfully completed the EMS certification process.
AMSA congratulates the City of Los Angeles on its successful completion of the EMS certification process and hopes that their dedication and commitment to biosolids management will be an inspiration for other POTWs to follow in the EMS program. The Sanitation Bureau is one of 51 demonstration agencies participating in the NBP EMS program with several more agencies expected to undergo audits by the end of the year and be admitted to the exclusive EMS program. For more on the EMS program, please visit the NBP website at http://www.biosolids.org/emsguide/.
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