What Is an Environmental Management System?

An EMS is a comprehensive management system for identifying, monitoring, and managing activities that have potential environmental impacts. EMSs provide structure and consistency for overseeing daily activities that shift the environmental focus from reactive to proactive and from focusing exclusively on regulatory compliance to focusing on continual environmental performance in all operations.The implementation of an EMS at water and wastewater utilities can result in increased efficiency, reduced costs, and greater operational consistency; improved ability to meet environmental compliance requirements; improved succession planning; and better relationships with regulators.EPA recognizes that EMSs are a relatively new concept for many water and wastewater utilities, and that developing an EMS is often the greatest challenge facing utilities seeking recognition in Performance Track and similar state programs.Working with utilities that have successfully implemented an EMS, EPA has developed a number of state-of-the-art tools to help wastewater utilities understand the benefits of adopting an EMS. These tools have been compiled in an EMS Toolbox, and are available free of charge at www.PeerCenter.net. These tools include:

EMS Handbook for Wastewater UtilitiesEMS Compendium for Wastewater Utility ManagersCase studies on successful EMS implementation at wastewater and water utilities

A similar implementation guide for water utilities, Environmental Management 

Systems: A Tool to Help Water Utilities Manage More Effectively, is available at 

www.awwarf.org.•••

What Can an EMS Save You?When the energy crunch hit California in 1999, the City Wastewater Division benefited from its EMS initiative sumption. In addition to cost savings realized, the power Wastewater Division an energy credit. Combined, the costotaled more than $100,000. By establishing Fuel Reduction Teams for their water and and implementing RouteSmart software as part of an EMthe Charleston, South Carolina, Water System is saon fuel costs.Through EMS implementation, Camden County, New Jcent reduction in operations and maintenance costs (incand collection system) from $21.2 million in 1996 to $1

“I highly recommend U.S. EPA’s EMS implementutility interested in saving money for its ratepaperformance. These guides include real life examsuccesses that many utilities have already achieeasy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions to enasimilar benefi ts.”

— Andy Kric

Camden County Municipal U

Next StepsEPA and states are very interested in including more utilitprogram and/or similar state programs

We encourage yo
What Is an Environmental Management System?

An EMS is a comprehensive management system for identifying, monitoring, and managing activities that have potential environmental impacts. EMSs provide structure and consistency for overseeing daily activities that shift the environmental focus from reactive to proactive and from focusing exclusively on regulatory compliance to focusing on continual environmental performance in all operations.The implementation of an EMS at water and wastewater utilities can result in increased efficiency, reduced costs, and greater operational consistency; improved ability to meet environmental compliance requirements; improved succession planning; and better relationships with regulators.EPA recognizes that EMSs are a relatively new concept for many water and wastewater utilities, and that developing an EMS is often the greatest challenge facing utilities seeking recognition in Performance Track and similar state programs.Working with utilities that have successfully implemented an EMS, EPA has developed a number of state-of-the-art tools to help wastewater utilities understand the benefits of adopting an EMS. These tools have been compiled in an EMS Toolbox, and are available free of charge at www.PeerCenter.net. These tools include:

EMS Handbook for Wastewater UtilitiesEMS Compendium for Wastewater Utility ManagersCase studies on successful EMS implementation at wastewater and water utilities

A similar implementation guide for water utilities, Environmental Management 

Systems: A Tool to Help Water Utilities Manage More Effectively, is available at 

www.awwarf.org.•••

What Can an EMS Save You?When the energy crunch hit California in 1999, the City Wastewater Division benefited from its EMS initiative sumption. In addition to cost savings realized, the power Wastewater Division an energy credit. Combined, the costotaled more than $100,000. By establishing Fuel Reduction Teams for their water and and implementing RouteSmart software as part of an EMthe Charleston, South Carolina, Water System is saon fuel costs.Through EMS implementation, Camden County, New Jcent reduction in operations and maintenance costs (incand collection system) from $21.2 million in 1996 to $1

“I highly recommend U.S. EPA’s EMS implementutility interested in saving money for its ratepaperformance. These guides include real life examsuccesses that many utilities have already achieeasy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions to enasimilar benefi ts.”

— Andy Kric

Camden County Municipal U

Next StepsEPA and states are very interested in including more utilit
What Can an EMS Save You?When the energy crunch hit California in 1999, the City Wastewater Division benefited from its EMS initiative sumption. In addition to cost savings realized, the power Wastewater Division an energy credit. Combined, the costotaled more than $100,000. By establishing Fuel Reduction Teams for their water and and implementing RouteSmart software as part of an EMthe Charleston, South Carolina, Water System is saon fuel costs.Through EMS implementation, Camden County, New Jcent reduction in operations and maintenance costs (incand collection system) from $21.2 million in 1996 to $1

“I highly recommend U.S. EPA’s EMS implementutility interested in saving money for its ratepaperformance. These guides include real life examsuccesses that many utilities have already achieeasy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions to enasimilar benefi ts.”

— Andy Kric

Camden County Municipal U

Next StepsEPA and states are very interested in including more utilit

What Is an Environmental Management System? An EMS is a comprehensive management system for identifying, monitoring, and managing activities that have potential environmental impacts. EMSs provide structure and consistency for overseeing daily activities that shift the environmental focus from reactive to proactive and from focusing exclusively on regulatory compliance to focusing on continual environmental performance in all operations. The implementation of an EMS at water and wastewater utilities can result in increased efficiency, reduced costs, and greater operational consistency; improved ability to meet environmental compliance requirements; improved succession planning; and better relationships with regulators. EPA recognizes that EMSs are a relatively new concept for many water and wastewater utilities, and that developing an EMS is often the greatest challenge facing utilities seeking recognition in Performance Track and similar state programs. Working with utilities that have successfully implemented an EMS, EPA has developed a number of state-of-the-art tools to help wastewater utilities understand the benefits of adopting an EMS. These tools have been compiled in an EMS Toolbox, and are available free of charge at www.PeerCenter.net. These tools include: •	 EMS Handbook for Wastewater Utilities 

•	 EMS Compendium for Wastewater Utility Managers •	 Case studies on successful EMS implementation at wastewater and 

water utilities 

A similar implementation guide for water utilities, Environmental Management 

Systems: A Tool to Help Water Utilities Manage More Effectively, is available at 

www.awwarf.org. 
EPA’s Performance Track Program

EPA’s National Environmental Performance Track (“Perfrecognizes and drives environmental excellence by proand other incentives to both public and private facilitierecords that go above and beyond their legal requirempartnership between EPA and program members that eronmental improvement through EMSs, emphasizes mecommunity outreach.Members voluntarily identify and publicly commit to tyfacilities) measurable goals in an effort to further improformance. Currently, approximately 10 percent of the mare public sector organizations. For more information amember benefits, visit www.epa.gov/performancetrackState Performance-Based Programs More than 20 states have their own performance-basecriteria, goals, and reporting requirements as Performapartner with Performance Track and provide similar benprovide multiple levels, or tiers, of membership and thuPerformance Track as a starting point for water and wamembership in one of these programs.“O

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The “Bottom Line”—Why Should Your Utility Participate EPA and state performance-based environmental programs can provide utilities with a number of important benefits, including: •	 Recognition at the national and/or state levels •	 Regulatory and administrative incentives, such as permit flexibility and expedited 

permit reviews 

•	 Improved relations with regulators •	 Sharing information on successful approaches •	 Enhanced reputation among peers •	 Acknowledgement as community environmental leaders What Is a Performance-Based Environmental Program? Performance-based environmental programs are voluntary partnership programs supported by EPA and states to recognize and provide various incentives to public and private facilities that voluntarily identify and commit to goals for further environmental performance improvement beyond compliance, and report progress toward these goals. 

“As only the second wastewater treatment facility to participate in Performance Track, we see participation as an important extension of our efforts to reach out to our constituents and educate them on our innovative efforts to protect the local environment as well as further 
The “Bottom Line”—Why Should Your Utility Participate 

EPA and state performance-based environmental programs can provide utilities with a number of important benefits, including:

Recognition at the national and/or state levelsRegulatory and administrative incentives, such as permit flexibility and expedited permit reviewsImproved relations with regulatorsSharing information on successful approachesEnhanced reputation among peersAcknowledgement as community environmental leaders

What Is a Performance-Based Environmental Program?Performance-based environmental programs are voluntary partnership programs supported by EPA and states to recognize and provide various incentives to public and private facilities that voluntarily identify and commit to goals for further environmental performance improvement beyond compliance, and report progress toward these goals.••••••

“As only the second wastewater treatment facility to participate in Performance Track, we see participation as an important extension of our efforts to reach out to our constituents and educate them on our innovative efforts to protect the local environment as well as further 

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EPA’s Performance Track Program EPA’s National Environmental Performance Track (“Perfrecognizes and drives environmental excellence by proand other incentives to both public and private facilitierecords that go above and beyond their legal requirempartnership between EPA and program members that eronmental improvement through EMSs, emphasizes mecommunity outreach. Members voluntarily identify and publicly commit to tyfacilities) measurable goals in an effort to further improformance. Currently, approximately 10 percent of the mare public sector organizations. For more information amember benefits, visit www.epa.gov/performancetrackState Performance-Based Programs More than 20 states have their own performance-basecriteria, goals, and reporting requirements as Performapartner with Performance Track and provide similar benprovide multiple levels, or tiers, of membership and thuPerformance Track as a starting point for water and wamembership in one of these programs. “Our participation as a member of EPA’s Perfo
The “Bottom Line”—Why Should Your Utility Participate 

EPA and state performance-based environmental programs can provide utilities with a number of important benefits, including:

Recognition at the national and/or state levelsRegulatory and administrative incentives, such as permit flexibility and expedited permit reviewsImproved relations with regulatorsSharing information on successful approachesEnhanced reputation among peersAcknowledgement as community environmental leaders

What Is a Performance-Based Environmental Program?Performance-based environmental programs are voluntary partnership programs supported by EPA and states to recognize and provide various incentives to public and private facilities that voluntarily identify and commit to goals for further environmental performance improvement beyond compliance, and report progress toward these goals.••••••

EPA’s Performance Track ProgramEPA’s National Environmental Performance Track (“Perfrecognizes and drives environmental excellence by proand other incentives to both public and private facilitierecords that go above and beyond their legal requirempartnership between EPA and program members that eronmental improvement through EMSs, emphasizes mecommunity outreach.Members voluntarily identify and publicly commit to tyfacilities) measurable goals in an effort to further improformance. Currently, approximately 10 percent of the mare public sector organizations. For more information amember benefits, visit www.epa.gov/performancetrackState Performance-Based Programs More than 20 states have their own performance-basecriteria, goals, and reporting requirements as Performapartner with Performance Track and provide similar benprovide multiple levels, or tiers, of membership and thuPerformance Track as a starting point for water and wamembership in one of these programs.“Our participation as a member of EPA’s Perfo

“As only the second wastewater treatment facility to participate in Performance Track, we see participation as an important extension of our efforts to reach out to our constituents and educate them on our innovative efforts to protect the local environment as well as further our leadership in the wastewater industry

”
The “Bottom Line”—Why Should Your Utility Participate 

EPA and state performance-based environmental programs can provide utilities with a number of important benefits, including:

Recognition at the national and/or state levelsRegulatory and administrative incentives, such as permit flexibility and expedited permit reviewsImproved relations with regulatorsSharing information on successful approachesEnhanced reputation among peersAcknowledgement as community environmental leaders

What Is a Performance-Based Environmental Program?Performance-based environmental programs are voluntary partnership programs supported by EPA and states to recognize and provide various incentives to public and private facilities that voluntarily identify and commit to goals for further environmental performance improvement beyond compliance, and report progress toward these goals.••••••

EPA’s Performance Track ProgramEPA’s National Environmental Performance Track (“Perfrecognizes and drives environmental excellence by proand other incentives to both public and private facilitierecords that go above and beyond their legal requirempartnership between EPA and program members that eronmental improvement through EMSs, emphasizes mecommunity outreach.Members voluntarily identify and publicly commit to tyfacilities) measurable goals in an effort to further improformance. Currently, approximately 10 percent of the mare public sector organizations. For more information amember benefits, visit www.epa.gov/performancetrackState Performance-Based Programs More than 20 states have their own performance-basecriteria, goals, and reporting requirements as Performapartner with Performance Track and provide similar benprovide multiple levels, or tiers, of membership and thuPerformance Track as a starting point for water and wamembership in one of these programs.

“As only the second wastewater treatment facility to participate in Performance Track, we see participation as an important extension of our efforts to reach out to our constituents and educate them on our innovative efforts to protect the local environment as well as further 
What Is an Environmental Management System?An EMS is a comprehensive management system for identifying, monitoring, and managing activities that have potential environmental impacts. EMSs provide structure and consistency for overseeing daily activities that shift the environmental focus from reactive to proactive and from focusing exclusively on regulatory compliance to focusing on continual environmental performance in all operations.The implementation of an EMS at water and wastewater utilities can result in increased efficiency, reduced costs, and greater operational consistency; improved ability to meet environmental compliance requirements; improved succession planning; and better relationships with regulators.EPA recognizes that EMSs are a relatively new concept for many water and wastewater utilities, and that developing an EMS is often the greatest challenge facing utilities seeking recognition in Performance Track and similar state programs.Working with utilities that have successfully implemented an EMS, EPA has developed a number of state-of-the-art tools to help wastewater utilities understand the benefits of adopting an EMS. These tools have been compiled in an EMS Toolbox, and are available free of charge at www.PeerCenter.net. These tools include:

EMS Handbook for Wastewater UtilitiesEMS Compendium for Wastewater Utility ManagersCase studies on successful EMS implementation at wastewater and water utilities

A similar implementation guide for water utilities, Environmental Management 

Systems: A Tool to Help Water Utilities Manage More Effectively, is available at 

www.awwarf.org.•••

What Can an EMS Save You? When the energy crunch hit California in 1999, the City Wastewater Division benefited from its EMS initiative sumption. In addition to cost savings realized, the power Wastewater Division an energy credit. Combined, the costotaled more than $100,000. By establishing Fuel Reduction Teams for their water and and implementing RouteSmart software as part of an EMthe Charleston, South Carolina, Water System is saon fuel costs. Through EMS implementation, Camden County, New Jcent reduction in operations and maintenance costs (incand collection system) from $21.2 million in 1996 to $1

“I highly recommend U.S. EPA’s EMS implementutility interested in saving money for its ratepaperformance. These guides include real life examsuccesses that many utilities have already achieeasy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions to enasimilar benefi ts.” 

— Andy Kric

Camden County Municipal U

Next Steps EPA and states are very interested in including more utilitprogram and/or similar state programs

We encourage yo