December 5, 2008

Welcome to Weekly Update, a publication of Western United Environmental Services (WUES), designed to bring you valuable information and helpful tips for compliance with the waste discharge requirements of the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board. We strive to provide your dairy with quality service, while at the same time saving you money as you face the challenges of compliance. Each week you will find features on compliance issues, regulatory changes or common questions, as well as workshop notices and introductions to the WUES technicians. If you have missed any of our past issues, they can be found on our website at www.wuenvironmental.com.

WUES Technical Certification

As new regulations continue to be enacted, and existing regulations become increasingly stringent, simply meeting the minimum requirements can be a daunting task. That’s why more and more dairymen are turning to professional consulting firms for assistance. At Western United Environmental Services, we are committed to providing the best possible technical support at the lowest possible price, and part of that commitment means being trained and certified to provide the services and support you need.

In August we published an updated list of our services, and soon it will need to be updated again. New regulations and new requirements necessitate constant training in order for our staff to meet the demands. Here we present an overview of the services and regulations which require certifications or specialized training, along with our current status in providing that service.

• Sampling Protocols – Our technicians are trained to properly obtain water, soil and tissue samples and maintain an appropriate chain of custody.
• Back-flow Analysis – All WUES technicians are certified to conduct and sign off back-flow analysis.
• Nutrient Management Plan – Nutrient Management Plans require certification by a Certified Crop Advisor (CCA), Technical Service Provider (TSP) certified in nutrient management in California by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) or other professionals approved by the Water Board in order to meet Water Board requirements. WUES currently has one Certified Crop Advisor on staff, and several technicians are in the process of obtaining their CCA/TSP certifications.

• Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan – The NRCS offers a Comprehensive Nutrient Management Plan (CNMP) as an eligible practice under EQIP.  These CNMPs can be prepared by NRCS staff or a TSP certified by NRCS.  Several WUES are working on obtaining certification as TSPs.

WUES maintains strategic partnerships with laboratories and engineering firms to ensure our ability to meet the regulatory requirements faced by our clients. When customer needs require services we do not provide, these partnerships allow us to utilize the resource potential of multiple companies, saving our clients time, money and frustration.

Engineering Preferred Providers for 2009 Announced 

Western United Environmental Services (WUES) has announced partnerships with two top engineering firms to help Central Valley dairy producers defray costs associated with complying with water quality regulations. The engineering firms that will provide services in 2009 are Conestoga Rovers & Associates, Fresno; and Sierra Engineering Services, Irvine. 

“These engineering partnerships mean that our dairy producers can be assured that they are not only saving money but will be receiving top quality engineering services,” said Michael Marsh, CEO, Western United Dairymen.

CALENDAR OF MONTHLY MONITORING ACTIVITIES

DECEMBER

To receive more information on WUES, please contact your WUES Environmental Technician or WUES Office:

• Phone (209) 238-3818
• Fax (209) 238-3808
• Email: info@wuenvironmental.com
• www.wuenvironmental.com