The United States National Biosolids Partnership: Improving Biosolids Management

The U.S. National Biosolids Partnership (NBP), an alliance of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) and Water Environment Federation (WEF), was formed in 1997 in response to public acceptance issues dealing with biosolids management. The United States Congress provides funding to assist public agencies to improve existing biosolids management programs to maintain/achieve public support. The key to a successful program is systematic management and an independent third party audit to assure organizations are managing biosolids to meet the requirements of an excellent biosolids management program. The NBP program utilizes the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System principles. The program has defined 17 components of excellent biosolids management and the independent third party audit program. One hundred organizations are participating in the program and 16 agencies have been “certified” though a third party audit. The smallest agency serves a community of 200 people and the largest treats over a billion gallons a day. Participants are benefiting through cost savings, efficiencies and better public trust.