[E-updates] BIOSOLIDS NATIIONAL CERTIFICATIION ACHIEVED BY UTILIITIES DEPARTM ENT: LOCAL CELEBRATION PLANNED

[Lisa Patterson]

NEWS RELEASE

City of Lawrence, Kansas

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Thursday, Nov. 3, 2005

 

CONTACT: 

Dave Wagner, utilities department, assistant director, wastewater, (785) 832-7807

or

Jeanette Klamm, residuals coordinator, (785) 832-7846

 

BIOSOLIDS NATIIONAL CERTIFICATIION ACHIEVED BY UTILIITIES DEPARTMENT: LOCAL CELEBRATION PLANNED

 

The National Biosolids Partnership (NBP), an alliance of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) and Water Environment Federation (WEF) with advisory support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, recognizes the City of Lawrence Department of Utilities as the tenth wastewater agency in the nation to be certified and admitted to the Partnership's environmental management system (EMS) for biosolids program. Lawrence Department of Utilities is one of more than 80 demonstration agencies participating in the NBP EMS for biosolids program.

 

As the tenth wastewater agency certified and admitted into the NBP EMS program, Lawrence Department of Utilities' achievement recognizes that the agency has been independently verified as having an effective biosolids environmental management system. Lawrence Department of Utilities' biosolids EMS was independently verified on October 12, 2005 by the audit firm, KEMA-Registered Quality, Inc., to conform to the NBP's EMS guidance. The EMS verification signifies that Lawrence Department of Utilities meets the requirements for certification and admittance to the NBP EMS program and supports excellence in biosolids management practices, exceeds regulatory compliance obligations, and provides meaningful opportunities for public participation. 

 

"The National Biosolids Partnership is pleased with Lawrence Department of Utilities' successful completion and verification of the NBP EMS program," said NBP Chair Robert Hite. "An Environmental Management System is a modern management approach based on continuous improvement and environmentally sustainable practices. The Partnership believes that instituting an EMS for utility management is vital to enhancing environmental excellence in local communities."

 

For more information on the Lawrence Department of Utilities' Biosolids EMS program, visit: http://www.lawrenceutilities.org/Biosolids.shtml. For more information on the NBP EMS program, visit: http://www.biosolids.org. 

_______________________________________________________________

The National Biosolids Partnership (NBP) was created in 1997 as an alliance of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) and Water Environment Federation (WEF), with advisory support from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It is committed to developing and advancing environmentally sound and sustainable biosolids management practices that go beyond regulatory compliance and promote public participation in order to enhance the credibility of local agency biosolids programs and improved communications that lead to public acceptance.

 

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Thursday, Nov. 3, 2005

 

CELEBRATION PLANNED TO MARK NATIONAL AWARDS

 

(Lawrence, Ks) - The community is invited to help celebrate two national awards and program certification recently received by the Department of Utilities.  An open house and reception will be hosted on Wednesday, November 30 to mark the EPA National Clean Water Act Recognition Award in Operations and Maintenance Excellence; EPA National Clean Water Act Recognition Award in Exemplary Biosolids Management; and the National Biosolids Partnership Environmental Management System Program Certification.

 

The three national accomplishments will be celebrated by the community, elected officials and staff from 1 to 5:30p.m on Nov. 30.  The public is invited to attend to learn more about wastewater treatment operations and biosolids. Plant tours will be start at about 2:00 p.m.

 

The Wastewater Treatment Facility is located at 1400 East 8th Street.  For more information call, 832-7846.

 

-END-

 

 

_____________________________

Lisa K. Patterson

Communications Manager

City of Lawrence

PO Box 708

Lawrence, KS 66044

(785) 832-3406

fax (785) 832-3405

lpatterson at ci.lawrence.ks.us

http://www.lawrenceks.org

 

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