Environmental Management Systems (EMS) Initiative

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is working with the Global Environment & Technology Foundation to implement an Environmental Management System (EMS) initiative. The EMS initiative allows EPA and the Global Environment & Technology Foundation to assist small and medium-sized government organizations to implement an environmental management system at a local facility or organization. An EMS is a set of management processes and procedures that allows an organization to analyze and reduce the environmental impact of its activities. First adopted by private industry, the EMS approach is increasingly common in the public sector. Through the EMS initiative, EPA is providing both direct and indirect assistance in the area of municipal wastewater treatment technologies. Direct assistance includes one-on-one discussions about design, operation and maintenance of systems, and the identification and solution of problems. Indirect assistance includes support for the development of regulations; technical information; guidance, assessments, evaluation, and cost estimates for the design, construction, and operation and maintenance of municipal wastewater treatment facilities.

Over the past two years nine local government entities have experienced environmental and economic benefits through the implementation of environmental management systems. Due to the success of the program, EPA decided to extend the EMS initiative, with nearly 50 local government entities applying to participate. Fourteen participants were chosen to receive EMS training and technical assistance in a rigorous application process that examined top management involvement, organizational support, and the ability of participants to share experiences with similar entities and affiliated organizations.

On February 27, 2001 EPA is sponsoring a workshop for those 14 government entities chosen to participate in the EMS program. The purpose of the workshop is to promote adoption of environmental management systems in the public sector. The workshop is part of an ongoing program involving a range of participants, including publicly owned treatment works, municipal solid waste operations, transit agencies, and public universities.

For more information on the EMS project, contact Jim Horne, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Wastewater Management at (202) 260-5802, or Craig Ruberti, Project Manager, Global Environment & Technology Foundation at 703-750-6401. Current information on the project is available on Global Environment & Technology Foundation web site.

Environmental Management Systems (EMS) Initiative

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