Chickasha advertising for bids on new water treatment plant – Southwest Ledger

Report on the Chickasha Water Treatment Plant Project and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Project Overview and Contribution to Sustainable Cities (SDG 11)

The Chickasha Municipal Authority (CMA) has initiated the bidding process for the construction of a new water treatment plant, a critical infrastructure project aimed at ensuring long-term water security for its residents. This development directly supports Sustainable Development Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by upgrading essential public services and building resilience for a community of 16,500. The project addresses the deficiencies of the current 60-70 year-old facility, whose functional capacity has diminished from 6 million gallons per day (mgd) to 4.2 mgd.

• Project Name: The Erwin Family Waterworks
• Location: A 70-acre site adjacent to the existing plant.
• Timeline:
  1. Bids Advertised: For six weeks, starting after October 20.
  2. Bid Opening: Second week of December.
  3. Contract Award: Late December or early January.
  4. Construction Duration: Approximately two years.

Ensuring Clean Water and Sanitation for All (SDG 6)

The primary objective of the new plant is to advance Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). By guaranteeing access to safe and affordable drinking water, the project is a fundamental step toward public health and environmental sustainability. The new facility will employ modern, conventional treatment methods to improve water quality, addressing Target 6.1 (achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water) and Target 6.3 (improve water quality by reducing pollution).

• Initial Capacity: 6 million gallons per day (mgd), sufficient to meet community needs until approximately 2060-2070.
• Expandable Capacity: Designed to be expandable to 8 mgd to accommodate future growth.
• Treatment Process: Includes pretreatment, clarification, filtration, and disinfection.
• Water Sources: The plant will initially process water from Fort Cobb Lake and is being designed to treat lower-quality water from Lake Chickasha in the future, demonstrating a commitment to integrated water resources management (Target 6.5).

Building Resilient Infrastructure and Fostering Innovation (SDG 9)

This project is a significant investment in resilient infrastructure, a cornerstone of Sustainable Development Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). The plant will feature modern technological advancements and redundancies to ensure a reliable water supply, even in the face of operational challenges.

• Technological Advancement: While utilizing conventional treatment methods, the technology will be significantly more advanced than the original plant’s design. Reverse osmosis was considered but deemed not cost-effective for this application.
• Resilience Features: The facility will be equipped with full back-up power generation and system redundancy to maintain operations during emergencies.
• Future-Proofing: The plant’s design anticipates the future need to treat water from Lake Chickasha, which contains high concentrations of gypsum and sulfates, showcasing proactive infrastructure planning.

Financial Framework and Strategic Partnerships (SDG 17)

The successful implementation of this project relies on a robust financial plan and multi-stakeholder collaboration, reflecting the principles of Sustainable Development Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The financing model combines state-level loans with local community tax revenue, while partnerships span public agencies, private entities, and local landowners.

Financial Details

• Primary Funding: A $67,660,000 loan from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB).
• Loan Term: 30 years, with total principal and interest payments estimated at $124.7 million by 2053.
• Revenue Source: A permanent 1.25% city sales tax, approved by residents in August 2023, is dedicated to retiring the debt and funding other capital improvements.

Key Partnerships

• Chickasha Municipal Authority (CMA): The project lead and governing body.
• Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB): Provided the primary financing mechanism.
• Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ): Granted necessary regulatory variances for the project to proceed.
• The Erwin Family: Provided the 70-acre land parcel through a long-term lease agreement that will culminate in a gift to the city.
• Freese and Nichols: Consulting engineering firm responsible for design and planning.
• U.S. Water Services Corp.: The contract operator for the city’s current and future water and wastewater plants.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

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

The article on the new water treatment plant in Chickasha directly addresses and connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The primary goals identified are:

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: This is the most central SDG, as the entire project revolves around ensuring a stable and safe supply of drinking water for the community by replacing an aging facility with a modern one.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The construction of a new water treatment plant is a major infrastructure project. The article details the development of resilient, reliable, and sustainable infrastructure to support the community’s well-being.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: By securing access to the basic service of clean water, the project enhances the sustainability and resilience of the city of Chickasha, ensuring it can support its current and future population.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The project’s implementation involves collaboration between multiple stakeholders, including municipal authorities, state agencies, private engineering firms, and local landowners, highlighting the importance of partnerships in achieving sustainable development.

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

Based on the details provided in the article, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. 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 project aims to provide a reliable supply of potable water for the 16,500 residents of Chickasha and Norge, replacing an old plant whose functional capacity has dropped from 6 to 4.2 million gallons per day (mgd).
   • Target 6.3: “By 2030, improve water quality…” The article explicitly mentions that the new plant will have to treat water from Lake Chickasha, which has “high sulfate concentrations,” “high levels of dissolved solids,” and “elevated levels of chlorophyll-a.” This directly relates to improving water quality through advanced treatment processes.
   • Target 6.4: “By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency… and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity.” The article discusses the need to find an “alternative source of water” (Lake Chickasha) because the city is nearing its withdrawal limits from its current source, Fort Cobb Reservoir, thus addressing long-term water supply sustainability.
   • Target 6.b: “Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management.” The project is partially funded by a “permanent 1.25% sales tax” approved by Chickasha residents, demonstrating direct community participation and support.
2. Under SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure):
   • Target 9.1: “Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure…” The new plant is described as a significant infrastructure upgrade, designed to be reliable with “full back-up generation and redundancy” and sustainable for the long term, with a projected horizon to “about 2060-70.”
   • Target 9.a: “Facilitate sustainable and resilient infrastructure development… through enhanced financial… support.” The project is financed by a $67.66 million loan from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB), which is a clear example of financial mobilization for a major sustainable infrastructure project.
3. Under SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities):
   • Target 11.1: “By 2030, ensure access for all to… basic services.” The provision of a safe and reliable water supply is a fundamental basic service essential for the urban community of Chickasha.
4. Under SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals):
   • Target 17.17: “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships…” The project is a collaboration between the Chickasha Municipal Authority (public), the Oklahoma DEQ and OWRB (public), Freese and Nichols (private engineering consultants), U.S Water Services Corp. (private operator), and the Erwin family (civil society/private citizens providing the land).

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 contains several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Indicator for Water Supply Capacity (Targets 6.1, 9.1): The new plant’s capacity of 6 mgd, expandable to 8 mgd, compared to the old plant’s declining functional capacity of 4.2 mgd. This directly measures the improvement in the city’s ability to supply water.
• Indicator for Population Served (Target 6.1, 11.1): The project serves a population of 16,500 residents in Chickasha and the community of Norge, providing a clear metric for the scope of access to this basic service.
• Indicator for Water Quality (Target 6.3): The article mentions specific water quality challenges, such as “high sulfate concentrations” and “high levels of dissolved solids.” Progress can be measured by testing the treated water to ensure these contaminants are reduced to safe levels.
• Indicator for Water Resource Management (Target 6.4): Water consumption data is provided (1.093 billion gallons in 2023) against the city’s water rights limit from Fort Cobb Lake. The successful integration of Lake Chickasha as a supplementary source would be a key indicator of progress in ensuring sustainable water withdrawals.
• Indicator for Financial Investment (Target 9.a): The $67,660,000 loan from the OWRB is a specific financial indicator of the investment being made in sustainable infrastructure. The public financing through a 1.25% sales tax is another key financial metric.
• Indicator for Partnerships (Target 17.17): The number and types of entities involved—municipal, state, private sector, and civil society—serve as a qualitative indicator of a multi-stakeholder partnership in action.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Summary

Source: southwestledger.news