Report on Contractual Dispute Impacting Sustainable Development Goals in Brunswick County

Introduction: Setback in Achieving Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6)

A significant infrastructure project in Brunswick County, aimed at advancing United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, has been halted due to a contractual dispute. The county has initiated legal proceedings against Oscar Renda Contracting, the firm hired for the expansion and technological upgrade of the Northwest Water Treatment Plant. This action follows repeated project delays, which directly impede progress toward providing safe and clean water for the community, a cornerstone of SDG 6.

Project Objectives and Alignment with Global Goals

The Northwest Water Treatment Plant improvements project is a critical initiative designed to meet several key Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: The primary objective is the installation of an advanced reverse osmosis (RO) system. This technology is essential for removing hazardous chemical pollutants, specifically per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and 1,4-dioxane, from the Cape Fear River. This directly addresses Target 6.1 for universal and equitable access to safe drinking water and Target 6.3 for improving water quality by reducing pollution.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: By eliminating manmade chemical compounds discharged by upstream industries, the project is fundamental to protecting public health. This aligns with Target 3.9, which seeks to substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and water contamination.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The project includes doubling the plant’s treatment capacity from 24 million to 48 million gallons per day. This expansion is vital for supporting sustainable community growth and enhancing infrastructure resilience for a growing population.

Timeline of Contractual Failure and Institutional Response

The county’s decision to terminate the contract and pursue legal action was precipitated by a series of failures on the part of the contractor. The sequence of events highlights a significant breakdown in the partnership intended to deliver this essential public service.

1. The contractor, Oscar Renda Contracting, repeatedly failed to meet contractually obligated performance milestones, leading to significant delays in the more than $122 million project.
2. In mid-June, the county formally announced that the project’s completion would be postponed due to the contractor’s non-performance.
3. On July 21, the Brunswick County Board of Commissioners engaged CDM Smith Inc. to provide interim oversight and site management while a new contractor is sought.
4. On July 25, the county officially terminated its contract with Oscar Renda Contracting and filed a lawsuit for breach of contract.

Legal Recourse and Upholding Accountability (SDG 16)

Brunswick County’s lawsuit represents an effort to enforce contractual obligations and ensure accountability, reflecting the principles of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). By taking legal action, the county is exercising its role in developing effective and accountable institutions to protect public interest and investment. The county is seeking comprehensive damages, which include:

• Covering all costs associated with hiring a new contractor to complete the project.
• Funds for remediating any insufficient or defective work performed on the site.
• Legal fees incurred from the lawsuit.
• Liquidated damages assessed at $5,500 per day, retroactive to June 30.

Conclusion: Reaffirming Commitment to Sustainable Development

According to a statement from county spokesperson Amber Merklinger, “Brunswick County is committed to making sure the expansion and reverse osmosis project at the Northwest Water Treatment Plant is completed exactly as planned and designed.” She emphasized that the legal action was a necessary step “to protect the best interests of our residents who have waited far too long for a solution to removing PFAS from our drinking water.” The county is now actively pursuing methods to secure a new construction contractor to resume the project promptly. This case underscores the challenges that can arise in public-private partnerships (SDG 17) and reinforces the critical importance of robust project management and institutional resolve in achieving essential Sustainable Development Goals related to public health and environmental safety.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

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

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  This is the most central SDG to the article. The entire text focuses on the efforts of Brunswick County to ensure the safety of its drinking water by upgrading its water treatment plant to remove harmful chemical pollutants. The project’s primary goal is to provide clean water to residents.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The article directly connects to public health by highlighting the need to remove specific hazardous chemicals, “PFAS and 1,4-dioxane,” from the drinking water. These “manmade, chemical compound pollutants” pose a health risk, and the project is described as a “solution to removing PFAS from our drinking water” that residents have awaited for a long time, implying a direct impact on their well-being.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  The article details a major infrastructure project: the expansion and technological upgrade of the Northwest Water Treatment Plant. It involves significant investment (“more than $122 million”), advanced technology (reverse osmosis system), and construction. The legal and contractual issues discussed also highlight the complexities of developing reliable and sustainable infrastructure.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The project is a municipal initiative aimed at providing an essential basic service—safe drinking water—to the residents of Brunswick County. By doubling the plant’s capacity, the county is planning for the community’s current and future needs, making it more sustainable and resilient.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

  The article showcases a local government (Brunswick County) taking decisive action to protect its residents’ interests. By terminating a contract for non-performance, filing a lawsuit for breach of contract, and seeking damages, the county is demonstrating institutional accountability and using legal mechanisms to enforce agreements and ensure the delivery of a critical public project.

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

1. 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 article’s focus on installing a reverse osmosis system to remove PFAS and 1,4-dioxane is a direct effort to provide “safe” drinking water to the population of Brunswick County.
   • Target 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials. The project aims to improve water quality at the point of use by treating water contaminated by “upstream industries and municipal wastewater treatment plants,” which are sources of hazardous chemical release.

2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination. The specific goal of removing PFAS and 1,4-dioxane—known hazardous chemicals—from the drinking water supply directly contributes to this target by mitigating health risks associated with long-term exposure.

3. 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 expansion of the water treatment plant is a clear example of developing quality and sustainable infrastructure essential for human well-being. The lawsuit against the contractor underscores the challenge of ensuring this infrastructure is “reliable.”

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

Yes, the article mentions several specific, quantifiable indicators that can be used to measure progress.

• Water Treatment Capacity

  The article explicitly states that the project includes “doubling the water treatment plant’s capacity from 24 million gallons per day to 48 million gallons per day.” This serves as a direct indicator for infrastructure development under SDG 9.

• Pollutant Removal

  The primary function of the new reverse osmosis system is the “remov(al) of PFAS and 1,4-dioxane.” The concentration of these specific chemicals in the treated water, or their complete absence, would be a key performance indicator for achieving safe drinking water as per SDG 6 and reducing health risks under SDG 3.

• Financial Investment

  The article mentions the project’s cost is “more than $122 million.” This figure serves as a financial indicator of the investment being made in sustainable water infrastructure (SDG 9).

• Legal and Contractual Damages

  The county is seeking “liquidates damages to the tune of $5,500 a day.” This financial figure is an indicator of the economic cost of project delays and a measure of institutional enforcement under SDG 16.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: coastalreview.org