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RESOLUTION NO. 69-03 |
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RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF DUBLIN SAN RAMON SERVICES DISTRICT ADOPTING A GREEN BUSINESS POLICY THAT INCLUDES ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE, POLLUTION PREVENTION, ENERGY CONSERVATION, WATER CONSERVATION, AND SOLID WASTE REDUCTION
WHEREAS, the mission of the Dublin San Ramon Services District is to provide customers with competitively priced, high quality water and wastewater services in a manner that is socially and environmentally responsible; and
WHEREAS, the District believes that a successful business is dependent on a healthy environment and we are actively working to be environmentally responsible to our community by committing to the following objectives: to comply with all applicable regulations and strive to exceed compliance; to conserve energy, water, materials and other resources; to develop and implement practices that prevent pollution and waste; and, to be an environmentally responsible business within our community; and
WHEREAS, in support of our mission, the District is committed to planning, designing, constructing and operating our facilities in an efficient and effective manner, always remembering that we are a neighbor in the community and a resident of the environment; and
WHEREAS, the District meets or exceeds all regulatory compliance requirements, including those established by the following organizations: Environmental Protection Agency, Regional Water Quality Control Board, Department of Health Services, Bay Area Air Quality Management District, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration; and
WHEREAS, the District meets or exceeds all requirements of the following permits: National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, Waste Discharge permit, Water System Operation permit, and Air Discharge permits; and
WHEREAS, the District goes beyond compliance with environmental regulations to implement sound practices eliminating pollution and waste; and
WHEREAS, the Strategic Plan Fiscal Years Ending 2004 – 2009 initiative 1.3 commits the District to manage systems effectively and conserve resources; and
WHEREAS, the Strategic Plan Fiscal Years Ending 2004 – 2009 key success measure 1.3.6 commits the District to be a prudent steward of our natural resources by implementing cost effective and effective water conservation practices; and
WHEREAS, the Strategic Plan Fiscal Years Ending 2004 – 2009 key success measure 1.3.7 commits the District to respect the environment in which we live and work by prudently planning, designing, building and operating facilities to minimize disruption; and
WHEREAS, the District has Environmental Impact Reports on its facilities; and
WHEREAS, the District has on-going policies to encourage water conservation among customers and has had a Water Conservation Demonstration Garden located on the east side of the District Office, 7051 Dublin Boulevard, since 1998, a very graphic means of encouraging customers to replace water thirsty lawns with drought tolerant plants; and
WHEREAS, the District has been capturing the methane gas generated by the digesters, mixing it with natural gas, and using it to produce electricity for the Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility since 1984, which not only conserves energy, but also saves the District hundreds of thousands of dollars annually on electric costs; and
WHEREAS, the District has demonstrated its compassion to protect wildlife by delaying work on reservoirs and construction on the District’s Dedicated Land Disposal to preserve the natural environment for golden eagles, grebes, and red-legged tree frogs; and
WHEREAS, the District has been recycling water for landscape irrigation since 1996 with the North Pleasanton Irrigation District project and Puttin’ On the Green, recycling water for landscape irrigation since 1999, conserving potable water, reducing the amount of treated wastewater that has to be piped over the hill to the San Francisco Bay, and keeping Dublin green even in times of drought; and
WHEREAS, the District Administrative Office staff have worked a 9/80 schedule (eighty hours in nine days) during the summer months since 2001, thereby allowing them to shut down air conditioning, equipment, and lights every other Friday saving energy and money; and
WHEREAS, the District redesigned the aeration system (during the Stage 4 improvements at the wastewater treatment plant) and increased efficiency so much that Pacific Gas & Electric’s Savings by Design program awarded the District $37,597.00 in June 2003, for reducing energy demands; and
WHEREAS, employees at all three locations of the District have been participating in single-stream recycling, thereby reducing solid waste; and
WHEREAS, the District has been a strong advocate of preventing pollution of waterways and worked to educate and inform customers of ways they can contribute to pollution prevention; and
WHEREAS, the District has participated in the City’s annual creek clean up, taking a leadership role in the most recent effort; and
WHEREAS, the District makes presentations in the schools promoting water conservation, recycling water and pollution prevention; and
WHEREAS, the District publishes news, information and tips on ways to conserve water, recycle water and prevent the pollution of water in various District publications; and
WHEREAS, the District participates in community events such as Day on the Glen, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and Dublin Pride Week promoting water conservation, recycling water and pollution prevention; and
WHEREAS, the District helps fund the Alameda County Green Business Directory; and
WHEREAS, the District wants to formalize its business in a Green manner; and
WHEREAS, it is expected staff will implement this policy in a manner that is responsible, fiscally prudent, and in accordance with the approved budget;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE DUBLIN SAN RAMON SERVICES DISTRICT, a public agency located in the Counties of Alameda and Contra Costa, California, that it is the policy of the District, within the scope of our mission, to commit to continuous improvement in support of a Green Business policy by:
- Achieving certification as a Green business according to the Alameda and Contra Costa Counties’ Green Business Programs;
- Working with the County of Alameda Green Business Program, Contra Costa Green Business Program, and other local wastewater agencies to develop criteria for wastewater treatment plants to become certified as Green businesses;
- Raising management and employee awareness by including Green business practices in performance appraisals, job descriptions, training programs, and employee orientations;
- Purchasing vehicles for the District’s fleet that use alternative fuels and improve fuel efficiencies;
- Purchasing tools and equipment that produce low emissions or are energy efficient;
- Encouraging staff and customers to avoid the use of gas-powered vehicles and equipment;
- Encouraging staff and customers to use public transportation on Spare the Air days;
- Using recycled materials when available;
- Using alternatives to hazardous substances used by the District;
- Reducing the use of paper in the District’s business;
- Maintaining a Water Conservation/Recycled Water Garden to educate customers to use drought tolerant plants in their home and business landscapes;
- Participating in and endorse staff participation in community projects that contribute to cleaning up the environment, conserving natural resources and preventing pollution of waterways;
- Providing water conservation, pollution prevention, and water recycling information whenever possible;
- Encouraging District business customers to use recycled materials; and,
- Encouraging vendors and contractors to adopt similar Green Business policies.
ADOPTED by the Board of Directors of the Dublin San Ramon Services District at its regular meeting held on the 16th day of December 2003.
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