Antioch’s $160 million desalination plant begins operation in bid to boost city water supply – The Mercury News

Report on the Inauguration of the Antioch Brackish Water Treatment Plant and its Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Executive Summary

On September 15, 2025, the city of Antioch, California, inaugurated its new Brackish Water Treatment Plant. This report details the project’s specifications and analyzes its significant contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The facility represents a critical investment in resilient infrastructure, designed to enhance water security by treating brackish water from the Delta. The plant will supply up to 40% of the city’s drinking water, utilizing innovative, energy-efficient, and low-waste technology, thereby serving as a model for sustainable water management.

2.0 Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The project directly supports the achievement of several key SDGs:

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: The plant’s primary function is to provide a safe, reliable, and sustainable source of drinking water, directly addressing Target 6.1 (safe and affordable drinking water) and Target 6.4 (sustainable water withdrawals).
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: This facility is a prime example of developing quality, reliable, and resilient infrastructure (Target 9.1) by adopting clean and environmentally sound technologies for water treatment (Target 9.4).
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: By diversifying its water portfolio and reducing reliance on strained freshwater sources, Antioch is building resilience to climate-related hazards like drought, contributing to Target 11.5 (reduce the impact of water-related disasters) and Target 11.B (implementing plans for climate change adaptation and resilience).
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: The use of energy-efficient and low-waste technology promotes the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources, in line with Target 12.2.
• SDG 13: Climate Action: The plant is a crucial climate adaptation strategy (Target 13.1), strengthening the community’s capacity to cope with the impacts of climate change on water availability in California.

3.0 Project Specifications and Sustainability Features

The facility’s design and operational parameters underscore its commitment to sustainability:

1. Water Source Diversification: It treats brackish water, an underutilized resource, reducing pressure on traditional freshwater ecosystems.
2. Significant Supply Capacity: The plant is engineered to meet up to 40% of Antioch’s total drinking water needs, substantially increasing local water self-sufficiency.
3. Energy-Efficient Technology: The process technology was selected for its low energy consumption, minimizing the operational carbon footprint and aligning with goals for clean energy and sustainable production.
4. Low-Waste Output: The system is designed to minimize waste byproducts, a critical factor in the environmental sustainability of desalination and water treatment processes.

4.0 Stakeholder Assessment and Implications

The inauguration was attended by key stakeholders, including Antioch Mayor Ron Bernal and Deputy Director Joel Metzger of the California Department of Water Resources. The project was described by city leaders as a “milestone in California’s water sustainability efforts.” This initiative establishes a scalable and replicable model for other municipalities facing water scarcity. It demonstrates a proactive approach to infrastructure development that integrates environmental stewardship, technological innovation, and long-term community resilience, fully embodying the principles of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  The article’s primary focus is on a new water treatment plant designed to provide drinking water, directly aligning with the goal of ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  The construction of the $100 million Brackish Water Treatment Plant represents a significant investment in sustainable and resilient infrastructure, which is a core component of this goal.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The project is a municipal initiative to enhance the city of Antioch’s water security and sustainability, making the urban community more resilient to water scarcity and environmental challenges.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Under SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
  • Target 6.1: “By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.” The plant is a direct effort to secure a safe and reliable drinking water supply for the residents of Antioch.
  • Target 6.4: “By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity…” The plant addresses water scarcity by creating a new, sustainable water source from brackish water, diversifying the city’s supply.
• Under SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
  • Target 9.1: “Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure…to support economic development and human well-being…” The water treatment plant is a piece of sustainable infrastructure crucial for the well-being of the city’s population.
  • Target 9.4: “…upgrade infrastructure…with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies…” The article explicitly states the plant uses “energy-efficient, low-waste technology,” directly aligning with this target.
• Under SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
  • Target 11.5: “…significantly reduce…the number of people affected…by…water-related disasters…” By creating a drought-resilient water source, the city of Antioch reduces its vulnerability to water shortages, which are a form of water-related disaster.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator for Target 6.1 and 6.4: The article provides a specific quantitative measure: the plant “is designed to supply up to 40% of Antioch’s drinking water.” This figure can be used as an indicator of the increased proportion of the population served by a safely managed and sustainable water source, and it quantifies the effort to reduce water scarcity.
• Indicator for Target 9.4: The article mentions the use of “energy-efficient, low-waste technology.” While not providing a specific number, this implies that indicators such as energy consumption per unit of water treated or the volume of waste produced would be key metrics for measuring the plant’s sustainability and resource efficiency.
• Indicator for Target 11.5: The “40% of Antioch’s drinking water” supplied by the plant serves as an indicator of increased resilience. It measures the proportion of the city’s water supply that is secured from a source less vulnerable to traditional drought conditions, thereby enhancing the city’s disaster risk resilience.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: mercurynews.com