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EPA Press Advisory: (1) EPA Works with External Groups Developing Handbook for Wastewater Organizations; (2) Louisiana Company and Former Acting Plant Manager Sentenced for Violating Clean Water Act(1) EPA Works with External Groups Developing Handbook for Wastewater Organizations To help utilities better manage their water and wastewater operations, EPA has developed the first Environmental Management System (EMS) handbook along with a steering committee of wastewater industry representatives and other experts. The EMS handbook describes a set of management processes and procedures that allow a utility to examine, control and reduce environmental impacts of its facility operations. The handbook also describes how an EMS can help utilities function with greater efficiency and encourage environmental performance. The handbook provides a systematic approach for utility managers to improve environmental performance, establish effective environmental policies, comply with legal requirements and identify needed resources such as training. This handbook contains experiences and advice from utility managers who have adopted and developed successful Environmental Management Systems. While several wastewater utilities have successfully implemented such systems and have seen significant benefits, until now there has not been a comprehensive guide to help other utilities understand the steps necessary to put an effective EMS in place. The Handbook provides a step-by-step, user-friendly guide for utilities to follow as they develop an EMS for their utility operations. The book also contains numerous examples, tips and other important information that make the EMS process understandable for utilities of all sizes. EPA developed this handbook through a cooperative agreement with the Global Environment and Technology Foundation in coordination with a steering committee of wastewater industry representatives and other experts. The EMS Handbook is available at: http://www.epa.gov/ems/ , http://www.wef.org/ , http://www.amsa_cleanwater.org/ and http://www.peercenter.net/ . (2) Louisiana Company and Former Acting Plant Manager Sentenced for Violating Clean Water Act Contact: Rich Hood 202-564-4355 / hood.rich@epa.gov Industrial Zeolite Limited, a corporation that operates in LeCompte, La., and Emanuel Drouin of Marksville, La., former acting Plant Manager for Industrial Zeolite, were each sentenced on Sept. 1, in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana in Alexandria, La., for violating the Clean Water Act. Industrial Zeolite manufactures a product used in the production of detergents and other products. In February 2004, the company was charged with releasing 1.1 million gallons of wastewater exhibiting a high pH into a ditch that flows into the Callahan Bayou. Releasing water with a high pH can harm fish and wildlife which live in and use the bayou. The company was fined $1 million and required to pay $457,441.36 in remedial payments. The remedial payments will be used to offset the cost of the prosecution and provide local government agencies with training and equipment to deal with hazardous material spills. The company also was required to remediate damage caused by the spill. Drouin will serve five months in prison and five months in home confinement. He must also pay a $10,000 fine. Both defendants were also sentenced for the same offenses in the 9th Judicial District Court of the State of Louisiana. The defendants received the same sentences that were imposed in federal court and the sentences will be served concurrently. The case was investigated by the Baton Rouge Office of EPA's Criminal Investigation Division and the Rapides Parish District Attorney's Office. It was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office in the Western District of Louisiana and by state prosecutors in Rapides Parrish. R168 ### Release date:09/09/2004 Receive our News Releases Automatically by Email
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