| Sustainable Utility Management Webcast |
Presentations from a webcast on Sustainable Utility Management, held in June 2008, can be accessed at the links below. The webcast presented case histories of how utility managers have used an EMS to identify and prioritize important managment issues. Additionally, the webcast described the benefits of adopting an EMS to address issues such as energy usage, climate change, sustainability, and ratepayer and citizen concerns.
| Energy Management Workshop Planned |
Jointly sponsored by U.S. EPA, WEF, and Central States Water Environment Association, this workshop is planned for Madison, Wisconsin on December 4, 2008. The workshop and included guidebook is designed to help water and wastewater utilities effectively manage energy issues. The link to the flyer is below.
| U.S. Environmental Protection Agency EMS Resources |
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has developed several resources that water and wastewater utilities can utilize to implement Environmental Management System (EMS) programs as outlined below.
EMS and Energy Management
This guidebook and regional workshops are specifically developed to provide water and wastewater utility managers with a step-by-step method, based on a Plan-Do-Check-Act management system approach, to identify, implement, measure, and improve energy efficiency and renewable opportunities at their utilities.
EMS and Asset Management
This pamphlet provides tools to reduce cost, manage risk, and improve performance, in addition to case studies and comprehensive information on EMS and Asset Management integration.
EMS Handbook
The Office of Wastewater Management, working with the Global Environmental & Technology Foundation and a steering committee of wastewater utility staff and other experts, has developed a handbook to help wastewater utilities implement environmental management systems (EMS) for their operations. This step-by-step guide covers all the activities necessary to put an effective EMS in place and provides examples and tips to help demystify the process.
Environmental Performance Track Programs
The U.S. EPA and some states have voluntary performance-based programs that recognize facilities with high levels of environmental compliance and performance and provide incentives to encourage continuous environmental improvement. The link below provides information on the U.S. EPA's National Environmental Performance Track Program as well as information on state programs.
Additional Resources