Environmental Management Systems-The Madison, Wisconsin Experience

Madison (WI) Metropolitan Sewerage District is a special purpose district that provides wastewater treatment to a 175 square mile service area, with a population equivalent of 331,000. Biosolids produced at the District's Nine Springs Wastewater Treatment plant are recycled to privately owned agricultural land as a fertilizer and soil conditioner through the District's Metrogro Program. The Metrogro Program has a 30 year track record of successful operation. It has received widespread recognition and has been used as a model by USEPA.In September, 2004, MMSD became the fourth agency in the United States to have its biosolids environmental management system (EMS) certified by the National Biosolids Partnership. Key aspects of the District's EMS development and implementation were documented and are presented, including the following:Drivers for EMS developmentDevelopment time and costStaff requirementsVerification audit cost and experience, including auditor/agency interactionsChallenges encountered during EMS developmentEMS BenefitsOpportunities for improving the EMS processResources required for post certification maintenance of the EMSPractical recommendations for effectively and efficiently address EMS requirements will be are presented, as are recommendations for preparing for, and participating in the independent 3rd party audit process. EMS benefits are discussed.