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Environmental Management System
- The Regional District of Nanaimo's Wastwater Services Department began implementing an ISO 14001 EMS in January 2004.
- The initial start up of an EMS takes time, resources, and staff involvement. All Environmental Management Systems (EMS) are based upon an Environmental Policy, which is the first step to implementation. Shortly after implementation, the EMS is expected to pay for itself through reduced operational costs and increased efficiency.
Did you know? At one of our treatment plants, we recently identified a way of saving approximately 230m3 of freshwater per day by re-using final effluent in our operations. This has significantly reduced the treatment plant's consumption of freshwater, and resulted in a cost savings! - The Liquid Waste Department's EMS was fully implemented by May 2005 and ready for ISO certification. In June 2005, PricewaterhouseCoopers, an external environmental consulting firm, extensively audited the department's EMS to ensure completeness and adherence to the ISO 14001 Standard. The LWD met all of the ISO requirements and was officially ISO 14001 Certified in August 2005
- For more details on the Wastwater Services Department's ISO Certification in June 2005, please refer to the following RDN Press Release
- View our Enivronmental Management System Certificate of Registration
Environmental Impacts, Goals And Programs
| Environmental Impacts | Environmental Goals | Environmental Programs |
|---|---|---|
| Energy Use | To reduce energy consumption (fuel and electricity) and, thus, reduce the department's overall Greenhouse Gas Emissions. | Operational Energy Consumption Reduction Report. The LWD is identifying ways to reduce operational energy consumption. Examples include the installation of energy efficient equipment and low energy lighting. |
| Chemical Spills | To reduce the risk of environmental damage resulting from possible chemical spills. | Operational and Emergency Procedures These have been developed for storing, using, and receiving chemicals. LWD operators are trained externally and emergency procedures are practiced through mock scenarios. The LWD is also investigating alternatives to chemical use, where applicable. |
| Effluent (wastewater) Spills | To reduce the risk of effluent spills into the environment (marine or land) resulting from pipe breaks and/or power failures. | Preventative Maintenance Program. This program ensures that aging pipes and equipment are repaired or replaced before their lifespan. In the event of power failure, LWD facilities have back-up generators in order to maintain flows and operations. |
| Effluent Quality | To improve the quality of effluent released into the marine environment. | Marine Monitoring Program. The LWD monitors the marine environment at outfall pipes to determine impacts to the marine environment. The LWD strives to improve final effluent quality by upgrading equipment, improving operational procedures and lab testing. Long-term capital plans to expand the GNPCC to a secondary treatment facility will also significantly improve effluent quality at this treatment plant. |
| Odour | To improve air emissions released by LWD facilities. | Odour Control Strategy. The LWD is continually striving to reduce and, where possible, eliminate odours coming from our facilities. State-of-the-art equipment, changes to operations, and an air sampling program/odour panel have been implemented to meet this goal. |
[ Click Here ] to view the Liquid Waste Department's Environmental Management System brochure.
| Did you know? |
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All contractors and suppliers working on behalf of the LWD receive environmental training and are required to read, understand and follow all LWD environmental procedures while working on-site.
Click Here for more information. |
- The LWD composts all its biosolids, thereby returning nutrients to the soil and reducing materials sent to the landfill by 88%!
- The LWD is the first municipal government department in BC to implement an Environmental Management System.
- The French Creek Pollution Control Centre (FCPCC) re-uses final effluent in all its operations, saving thousands of Litres of freshwater per day!
- The Greater Nanaimo Pollution Control Centre (GNPCC) burns methane gas (naturally produced by treatment plant processes) to provide heating needs for all its operations.
- GNPCC has constructed a permeable surface parking lot to allow natural groundwater infiltration and stormwater drainage.
Contact the Liquid Waste Department
Nanaimo Area: (250) 390-6560
Parksville/Qualicum Beach Area: (250) 954-3792
Toll Free in BC: 1-877-607-4111
Fax: (250)390-1542
E-mail: liquidwaste@rdn.bc.ca
