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CASE STUDIES OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS <br />An EMS program provides a structured approach for an organization to manage a full range of activities in order <br />to improve environmental performance. An EMS program also assists organizations in identifying more efficient <br />ways to operate and reduce unnecessary risks and costs. Additionally, utilizing an EMS program can help <br />organizations operate with more confidence and build better relationships with the community they serve and <br />regulatory agencies. <br />Several case studies of Environmental Management System programs implemented by various organizations are <br />presented in this report. Some organizations implemented EMS ISO 14001 certified programs that applied to a <br />specific facility as shown with the City of Lowell, Massachusetts and other programs implemented broader, more <br />general programs that involved the community, as shown with the City of Austin, Texas. <br />The information for this report was primarily gathered through the cities' website and various public documents <br />therefore, the depth of information provided varied between organizations. Additional staff time could be spent <br />collecting specific data from. all five organizations, if necessary, but the information in this report will provide a <br />general sense of the various types of Environmental programs that have been implemented. <br />KENT COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS <br />Wastewater Treatment Facility <br />The Kent County Department of Public Works (DPW) Wastewater Treatment Facility (KCWTF) implemented their <br />EMS, beginning in January 2003, through simultaneous participation in two national EMS pilot projects: 1) the <br />U.S. EPA supported Third EMS Initiative for Government Entities (www.peercenter.net); and 2) the National <br />Biosolids Partnership (NBP) EMS Program (www.biosolids.org). The two programs offered Kent County the <br />opportunity to integrate the wastewater facility's EMS efforts with their on-site private sector Biosolids <br />management partner K-F Environmental Technologies, Inc and leverage thd`technical assistance and national <br />recognition offered through both programs. <br />EMS Fenceline <br />Regional wastewater collection and treatment system, including maintenance and engineering support functions <br />and private partner Biosolids operations. <br />16 MGD wastewater treatment facility with land application of a Class A Biosolids. <br />59 pump and lift stations and over 45 miles of force main and main sewer lines. <br />39 staff with an additional 14 engineering staff with some responsibilities related to wastewater operations. <br />Operations serve 70% of the county's population. <br />Key Reasons for Implementing an EMS <br />^ More efficient use of time, monetary, and natural resources. <br />^ Model for industries within the community. <br />^ Ability to respond to and implement new regulatory initiatives. <br />^ Commitment to developing a positive environmental image for the County. <br />Current EMS Objectives and Targets <br />Kent County established Environmental Management Programs to achieve their quantitative EMS Objectives <br />and Targets, which currently include: <br />^ Reduce sulfur dioxide, particulate and CO emissions by 50% from CY 2002 levels. <br />^ Reduce electricity usage by 20% from CY 2002 levels. <br />^ Improve safety of existing processes or switch to alternative disinfection methods. <br />^ Reduce Sanitary Sewer OverFlows by 40% from CY 2002 levels. <br />Top 3 Keys to Success <br />1. Active Senior Management support <br />2. Committed Core Team that understood the program .and desired to see it completed. <br />3. Participating in Nation EMS initiatives allowed Kent County to learn from prior participants, leveraging <br />