Protecting the Environment
ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMThe department has been developing its EMS since 2007 in order to sustain a more effective environmental compliance program while identifying ways to reduce environmental impacts associated with treating wastewater and providing safe drinking water and reliable power.
Department staff had to demonstrate to an independent auditor that it met various elements of the standard. The standard requires that the department identify all of its activities that may have an effect on the environment, adopt criteria in which to score these activities, and develop management programs to eliminate or minimize these impacts. Other requirements include effective document control, training and emergency preparedness programs that address environmental items.