Active Public Sector EMSs and Case Studies

Public entities around the world are beginning to implement EMSs to improve their environmental performance. The PEER Center's list of EMSs in place is a searchable national database of public entities in the United States that have implemented an EMS. This page also includes links to active public sector EMSs and case studies of public sector EMSs.

Active Public Sector EMSs

Charleston Commissioners of Public Works 
This environmental management system policy statement and implementation information is regarding the EMS for the city of Charleston, S.C.

Official Web Site of Scottsdale, Ariz.- EcoSystem: Scottsdale's Environmental Management System
EcoSystem is the city of Scottsdale's environmental management system. The guide is one of the tools developed as part of the comprehensive environmental management system (EMS) for the city of Scottsdale organization. It was created to aid each city employee in managing the task of environmental regulatory compliance in her/his department. 2002.

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality ISO 14001 Environmental Management System Web Site
In April 2000, DEQ launched the Virginia Environmental Excellence Program, a voluntary program designed to encourage Virginia organizations to develop environmental management systems and pollution prevention plans. As part of its efforts to promote use of environmental management systems (EMSs), DEQ announced in June 2001 that it had developed an EMS of its own. Developed over a five-month period by a team representing all agency regional and divisional offices, the DEQ EMS conforms to the requirements of ISO 14001. This Web site includes links the DEQ EMS policy, implementation plan, pollution prevention plan, and complete EMS manual.

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
The WDNR began developing an EMS in 1999 for its operations in Spooner and at Lake Kegonsa State Park, and for air emissions and solid and hazardous waste within the state of Wisconsin. This link contains information about its policy, design principles, objectives, and more.

EPA Environmental Science Center (ESC)  
The Ft. Meade, Md. ESC is a state-of-the-art laboratory facility. In August 2002, ESC implemented an environmental management system (EMS) that conforms to ISO 14001. ESC shares information on its EMS such as its manual, significant aspects, slide show and newsletters on its Web site. This page is intended to be both a storyboard on its progress and a collection of documents/links that may prove helpful to others working on their own EMS. 

Fort Lewis Public Works Environmental Management System Manual
The complete EMS Manual for the Fort Lewis, Washington Directorate of Public Works, Revision 3, August 2000 deals with certification. 

University of Missouri - Rolla
UMR's EMS Web site. Includes information on its environmental policy, objectives and continual improvement.

Sample EMS Manuals and Procedures
Sample EMS Documents from the city of Gastonia, N.C., Wastewater Treatment Division, and the city of Shelby, N.C., Wastewater Treatment Plant EMS Manuals.

Case Studies of Public Sector EMSs   

Case Study: EMS Development Course for Government Agencies
The N.C. Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance sponsored a yearlong course (July 2001 - June 2002) to assist public agencies in North Carolina with designing and implementing an EMS based on ISO 14001. Three course participants were certified to ISO 14001 in 2002 following completion of the course.

Gastonia, N.C., Wastewater Treatment Division
In 2001, Gastonia became the first public entity in North Carolina to become certified to ISO 14001. Its EMS was implemented at the wastewater treatment division, and included the wastewater treatment plants, laboratories, resources recovery farm, and pretreatment facilities. 

Shelby, N.C., Wastewater Treatment Division
The city of Shelby Wastewater Treatment Division implemented an EMS after participation in the N.C. Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance's yearlong Environmental Management Systems Development Course for Government Agencies. Its EMS at a 6 MGD wastewater treatment system was certified to ISO 14001 in 2002. Case study includes the costs of implementation and certification.

Buncombe County, N.C., Metropolitan Sewerage District - Wastewater Treatment Plant
The Buncombe County Metropolitan Sewerage District implemented an EMS at its wastewater treatment plant following participation in the N.C. Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance's yearlong Environmental Management Systems Development Course for Government Agencies. It was certified to ISO 14001 in 2002.

North Carolina Zoological Park
The N.C. Zoological Park's Horticulture Division created and implemented an EMS after participation in the N.C. Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance's yearlong Environmental Management Systems Development Course for Government Agencies. It was certified to ISO 14001 in 2002, becoming the first U.S. zoo to hold the distinction.

Implementing an ISO 14001 Environmental Management System - A Case Study of Environmental Training and Awareness at the Vancouver International Airport Authority
Research of EMS implementation at an airport; includes recommendations for ways to improve the implementation process as well as parts of the EMS at the facility.

City of San Diego Metropolitan Wastewater Department, Operations and Maintenance Division
The city of San Diego Metropolitan Wastewater Department was the first publicly owned treatment works in the nation to become certified to ISO 14001. The facility implemented an EMS in 1999 as part of California EPA's pilot program on EMSs. This 37-page report includes information on all aspects of the EMS, as well as environmental information, successes and challenges, and observations.

City of San Diego, Refuse Disposal Division
The EMS includes Fee Collection, Mirimar Landfill Operations, Inactive site Operations, and Maintenance and Biological Services Vegetation Restoration and Bird Control. 2002.

Berkley, Calif., Solid Waste Management Division Department of Public Works
EMS implemented in the Solid Waste Management Division.

Detroit, Mich., Recreation Department (DRD) and Public Lighting Department (PLD)
EMS includes Recreation, Forestry and Landscape and Design and the Public Lighting Department (PLD). These departments deal with issues of hazardous material management, waste oil management, and solid waste management.

The Port of Houston Authority (PHA) 
EMS includes the Barbours Cut Container Terminal and the Turning Basin Terminals Central Maintenance Facility.

Portland, Ore., Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District
EMS implemented at five transportation maintenance facilities.

King County, Wash., Solid Waste Division 
EMS implemented throughout the entire division, including the landfill and household hazardous waste and recycling programs.

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Wisconsin Cast Metals Association
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Wisconsin Cast Metals Association worked together to develop an EMS to control benzene emissions from metal casting processes and products.

City of Eugene, Ore., Wastewater Division
EMS implemented at the wastewater division within public works, including a 49 MGD secondary wastewater treatment system, a biosolids facility and land application processes, and 49 sewage pumping stations. The wastewater collection system is not included.

Louisville and Jefferson County, Ky., Metropolitan Sewer District - Morris Forman Wastewater Treatment Plant
EMS implemented at a 114 MGD wastewater treatment plant that produces 85 tons of biosolids per day. Fenceline includes fleet purchase, bulk chemicals, and some pumps and motors.

Best Management Practices (BMP) Catalog for Colleges and Universities
The BMP Catalog was designed to enhance EPA's Environmental Management System (EMS) Guide for Colleges and Universities. EPA New England, in collaboration with the Campus Consortium for Environmental Excellence (C2E2), collected case studies that illustrate successful strategies to promote environmental stewardship at colleges and universities. This provides a useful tool to those who may need practical information to convince administration, faculty or staff to actually move a project forward. The catalog also answers such basic questions as "How do I get started?" and "What are the potential cost savings?"