PRESS RELEASE-MADISON METOPOLITAN SEWERAGE DISTRICT
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information contact:
David Taylor (222-1201, ext. 276)
The Madison Metropolitan Sewerage District’s Metrogro Program recently received national recognition for excellence in the area of biosolids management. The Metrogro Program became just the fourth biosolids land application program in the nation to receive certification from the National Biosolids Partnership for developing and implementing an Environmental Management System or EMS.
The National Biosolids Partnership is comprised of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the Water Environment Federation, and the Association of Metropolitan Sewerage Agencies. The Partnership developed the EMS program to assist those agencies interested in going well beyond simply meeting regulatory requirements with respect to program management. An EMS is a comprehensive management tool that utilizes a continuous improvement process to address 17 different areas of program operation.
To receive certification from the National Biosolids Partnership, EMS programs have to undergo a rigorous independent third-party audit process. The District completed the audit process in early September and received national certification at the end of September. Certification demonstrates the District’s continued commitment to excellence in the area of biosolids management.
The Metrogro Program has been recycling biosolids to agricultural land as a fertilizer and soil conditioner for almost 30 years. The Metrogro Program works closely with participating farmers in Dane County and in portions of Columbia, Green and Rock counties. Participating farmers have been able to reduce their reliance on commercial fertilizer and increase profitability. For more information on the Metrogro Program, visit the District’s website (www.madsewer.org).
