Central Valley board expands safe drinking water program

Sustainable Development Goals and Safe Drinking Water Program Expansion in Central Valley

Three years after the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board launched a novel program that has brought replacement drinking water to more than 1,200 households with nitrate-impacted wells in designated areas of the Central Valley, the regional board is expanding the program to new areas in eight groundwater basins.

Expansion of the Program

• The Central Valley Water Board recently mailed 938 Notices to Comply to permit holders in Priority 2 management zones within its Salinity Alternatives for Long-Term Sustainability (CV-SALTS) program.
• These notices affect dischargers in the following basins: Delta-Mendota, Eastern San Joaquin, Madera, Merced, Kern County (Poso), Kern County (West-side South), Tulare Lake and Yolo.

Impact on Residents

Entities in these areas are now required to begin testing potentially impacted domestic wells and provide free replacement drinking water where nitrates exceed health standards. Residents can expect to be contacted in early 2025 for free well testing.

If wells test above minimum contaminant levels, households will qualify for free replacement drinking water. The first phase of the program covered Priority 1 management zones in Modesto, Turlock, Chowchilla, Kings, Kaweah and Tule groundwater basins.

Importance of the Program

“The CV-SALTS program is a great example of how innovation and collaboration can address the threat of nitrates and salinity in groundwater and improve lives in the Central Valley,” said Patrick Pulupa, executive officer for the Central Valley board.

Nitrate in drinking water can lead to serious health issues, especially for infants and pregnant women. It is considered a risk to human health when it exceeds 10 parts per million (ppm) of nitrate nitrogen, the primary maximum contaminant level (MCL).

Learn More

For more information on the CV-SALTS Nitrate Control Program, visit www.cvsalinity.org.

About the Central Valley Regional Water Board

The Central Valley Regional Water Board is a state agency responsible for managing water quality and protecting surface and groundwater beneficial uses for 11,350 miles of streams, 579,110 acres of lakes, and the largest contiguous groundwater basin in California.

It is the largest of nine regional boards, covering 60,000 square miles or about 40% of the state. Thirty-eight counties in California are either completely or partially within the regional board’s boundaries.

## SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

### Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed:
1. **SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation**
2. **SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being**

### Targets and Indicators Identified:
1. **Target 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all**
– **Indicator:** Number of households provided with replacement drinking water in nitrate-impacted areas

2. **Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination**
– **Indicator:** Number of households with nitrate-contaminated wells receiving free replacement drinking water

### Explanation:
The article discusses the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board’s program to provide replacement drinking water to households with nitrate-impacted wells in the Central Valley. This initiative directly relates to SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) as it aims to ensure access to safe drinking water for all. The program also addresses SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by mitigating the health risks associated with nitrate contamination in drinking water.

Based on the content of the article, specific targets such as achieving universal access to safe drinking water (Target 6.1) and reducing illnesses from water pollution (Target 3.9) can be identified. The indicators mentioned in the article, such as the number of households provided with replacement drinking water and the number of households with nitrate-contaminated wells receiving free replacement water, can be used to measure progress towards these targets.

Overall, the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board’s program aligns with key SDGs related to clean water, health, and well-being, demonstrating a commitment to addressing water quality issues and improving the lives of residents in the Central Valley.

### Table:
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|————————————-|——————————————————————————————|———————————————————————————————–|
| SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation | Target 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all | Number of households provided with replacement drinking water in nitrate-impacted areas |
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and pollution | Number of households with nitrate-contaminated wells receiving free replacement drinking water |

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Fuente: oakdaleleader.com

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