DCWASA'S Biosolids EMS Experience – Preparation, Audits, and Impact Assessment

The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DCWASA) Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility produces approximately 60 trucks of lime stabilized biosolids each day. Past practices, while always meeting the EPA 503 regulations for land application have produced a product with an inconsistent quality from the standpoint of odors. In an effort to move beyond mere regulatory compliance, DCWASA decided participate in the pilot National Biosolids Partnership (NBP) Environmental Management System (EMS). Through examination of critical control points and implementation of corrective actions, DCWASA has found that there are process parameters that can help produce a much more consistent, low odor biosolids product. DCWASA has changed, in many areas of the biosolids program, from a reactive mode (reacting to problems and complaints) to a proactive mode (implementing process improvements and cost cutting measures, reaching out to interested parties, etc.). This is largely due to DCWASA's involvement in the NBP EMS program.