EMS Benefits

The efforts expended to create and verify the Biosolids EMS have helped integrate management, maintenance and operational activities within the Orange County Utilities Department.

Increased Public Participation: To help achieve its goal of increased public participation, Orange County created avenues for interested parties to communicate their suggestions and concerns regarding biosolids management activities.

One way of reaching the public was through creating a list of interested parties.  Citizens who lived within a half-mile radius from an Orange County water reclamation facility or adjacent to a land application site were sent a letter inviting them to participate in Orange Countyys Biosolids EMS.  The citizens who responded were added to Orange Countyys interested parties list and were invited to attend public meetings and provide input.  In May 2006, Orange County held an interested parties meeting and obtained feedback from the attendees.

Orange County also made information regarding biosolids available to the public through Orange County Governmentts website and handed out information sheets at community events. These approaches helped build public confidence in Orange Countyys biosolids activities.

Standardization of Operational Practices: The Biosolids EMS development process afforded Orange County the chance to review and standardize its operating procedures.  This greatly improved the overall oversight of the program and helped minimize nonconformances.   

Capturing the Knowledge of Senior Operators: Orange County faced the pending retirement of several senior-level employees.  It became very critical to document their knowledge and experiences for the benefit of the newer employee workforce and Orange County.

Improved Coordination with Contractors: A significant part Orange Countyys biosolids operations depend on contractor operations. Orange County realized the importance of improving the oversight of land application practices and, therefore, instituted monthly visits to the contractorss facilities and land application sites.

Lessons Learned

While it took a considerable amount of staff time to develop and implement the Biosolids EMS, Orange County learned that:

• The Biosolids EMS manual needs to be simple.
• It is important to develop a management system that will work for your organization, as well as satisfy the NBPPs requirements.
• Existing management practices could be and were successfully integrated into the Biosolids EMS.
• Conducting management reviews every quarter will address several issues in the development process.
• Quarterly internal audits are more effective than annual internal audits.

The Orange County Utilities Department is committed to improving its Biosolids EMS to meet its current and future operational needs.