Report on Water Resource Management and Sustainable Development Goal Alignment in Chatham

The town of Chatham is implementing stricter enforcement of its water usage regulations for lawn irrigation systems. This initiative directly addresses several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), by ensuring the sustainable management of finite water resources. The town’s actions also align with SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by promoting equitable and sustainable resource use among residents.

Regulatory Framework and Non-Compliance

Existing Water Use Regulations

The town’s policies are designed to promote water conservation and responsible management, reflecting the core principles of SDG 6.

• Since 2021, new irrigation systems are prohibited from connecting to the municipal water supply and must utilize private wells.
• Since 2022, all properties with existing irrigation systems connected to town water are required to register with the water department and install a separate meter.
• Water consumed for irrigation is billed at a higher rate than residential water to discourage non-essential use, a key strategy for achieving SDG 12.

Analysis of Non-Compliance

A significant gap exists between regulatory requirements and residential compliance, undermining the town’s sustainability objectives.

• Of approximately 1,500 registered irrigation systems, over 700 lack the mandatory separate meter.
• These non-compliant properties are billed at the lower residential rate, avoiding the higher irrigation rate intended to conserve water.
• The financial impact includes an estimated annual revenue loss of over $250,000 for the water department.
• This disparity creates an equity issue within the community, as compliant residents subsidize the water consumption of non-compliant ones, conflicting with the principles of SDG 11. As noted by Select Board Chair Dean Nicastro, non-compliant owners are “benefiting on the backs of every other ratepayer in town.”

Enforcement Actions and Policy Enhancements

Proposed Measures to Ensure Compliance

The Select Board is pursuing stronger measures to rectify non-compliance and reinforce the town’s commitment to sustainable water management. The goal is to create a robust framework that supports SDG 6 and SDG 13 (Climate Action) by building resilience to water scarcity and drought.

1. Warning Letters: The town is preparing formal warnings to be sent to all property owners who have failed to install the required second meter.
2. Increased Fines: The board intends to increase the financial penalties for violations to create a more effective deterrent. The current structure begins with a warning, followed by a $100 fine, a $200 fine, and potential disconnection.
3. Data Analysis: The Public Works department is actively analyzing water usage data to identify unregistered irrigation systems.

Strengthening Policy for Sustainable Communities (SDG 11)

The town’s strategy focuses on creating a fair and sustainable system for all residents. Recent water rate hikes, including an over 80 percent increase for irrigation, are intended to cover a departmental deficit and, critically, to encourage conservation in line with SDG 12.

• Town officials are developing a strengthened policy to penalize property owners who fail to install separate meters.
• A policy review is scheduled for July 22.
• A tentative public hearing is scheduled for August 19, providing a platform for community engagement as part of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

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

The article discusses issues of water management, resource conservation, and municipal governance, which directly connect to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The primary focus is on ensuring the sustainable management of water resources within the town of Chatham.

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  This is the most relevant SDG. The article’s core theme is the management of freshwater resources, specifically regulating the use of town water for lawn irrigation. The town’s efforts to meter irrigation systems, charge differential rates, and enforce regulations are all measures aimed at managing water consumption and ensuring the sustainability of the local water supply, especially in the context of recent drought conditions mentioned.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The issue is framed within a local community context, involving the town’s select board, public works department, and residents. The goal is to create a fair and sustainable system for managing a shared resource (water). The debate over fines, equitable rates for all “ratepayers,” and the development of new policies are part of sustainable municipal planning and management, aiming to reduce the town’s environmental impact.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  The article highlights efforts to influence consumer behavior to achieve more sustainable consumption patterns. By increasing water rates for irrigation by “more than 80 percent,” the town aims to “encourage people to use less water.” This directly addresses the goal of promoting the efficient use of natural resources and encouraging residents to adopt more sustainable lifestyles regarding water use.

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

Based on the actions and challenges described in the article, several specific SDG targets can be identified.

• Under SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  • 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 town’s entire initiative—requiring separate meters for irrigation, imposing higher rates, and fining non-compliance—is a direct attempt to increase water-use efficiency. The mention of the Cape’s drought status underscores the need to ensure sustainable withdrawals.
  • Target 6.5: By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels. The article provides a clear example of integrated water resources management at the local (municipal) level. It involves the water department, the select board (governance), and town counsel (legal framework) working together to create and enforce regulations for water use.

• Under SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  • Target 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management. The select board’s process of reviewing policy, working with counsel, and scheduling a public hearing for August 19 demonstrates a participatory approach to managing the town’s resources and infrastructure for long-term sustainability.

• Under SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  • Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources. The article is centered on the sustainable management of water, a key natural resource. The policies are designed to curb excessive use for non-essential purposes like lawn irrigation, thereby promoting efficient use.

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

The article contains several quantitative and qualitative data points that can serve as indicators to measure progress.

• For Target 6.4 (Water-use efficiency):

  • Number of compliant properties: The article states that of approximately 1,500 registered irrigation systems, “803 have separate meters” while “more than 700 do not.” Progress can be measured by the increase in the number of installed meters over time.
  • Level of water stress: The article mentions that the Cape was downgraded from a “level 2 to a level 1 drought.” This is a direct indicator of water availability and stress on the resource, which the town’s policies aim to mitigate.
  • Water consumption data: The Public Works Director is “scrubbing” town data to find properties using an “excess amount of water.” Once meters are installed, the total volume of water used for irrigation can be accurately measured and tracked to see if higher rates lead to reduced consumption.

• For Target 6.5 (Integrated water resources management):

  • Implementation of regulations and penalties: The existence and enforcement of the town’s water regulations, including the four-step penalty process (warning, $100 fine, $200 fine, disconnection), serve as an indicator of management implementation. The board’s plan to “strengthen penalties” is a further measure of this.

• For Target 12.2 (Sustainable management of natural resources):

  • Revenue from water rates: The article notes the water department is “missing out on more than $250,000 in annual revenue” due to unmetered systems. Closing this revenue gap by enforcing metering indicates progress in sustainable management and fair pricing.
  • Number of unregistered systems: The estimate that “as many as 100 properties have irrigation systems but have not yet registered” is an indicator of gaps in the management system. Reducing this number to zero would signify progress.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: capecodchronicle.com