Report on Water Quality and Infrastructure Improvements in Englewood, Colorado

Introduction and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The City of Englewood is undertaking a series of significant capital improvement projects to address public concerns regarding the taste, color, and hardness of its drinking water. These initiatives are directly aligned with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), primarily focusing on ensuring public health, developing resilient infrastructure, and providing clean water and sanitation for the community. This report details the progress of these projects and their contribution to achieving these global goals.

Core Project Objectives and SDG Contributions

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

Englewood’s efforts are a direct implementation of SDG 6, which aims to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. The projects specifically address:

• Target 6.1: Achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water. By improving aesthetic qualities (taste, odor) and reducing hardness, the city is enhancing the quality and acceptability of its water supply.
• Target 6.3: Improve water quality by reducing pollution. The modernization of the treatment plant and the enclosure of the city ditch are designed to reduce contaminants and improve the quality of the raw water source.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The water improvement plan strongly supports SDG 3 by safeguarding community health. The most critical contribution is the Lead Service Line Replacement Program, which directly addresses:

• Target 3.9: Substantially reduce illnesses from hazardous chemicals and water contamination. The systematic removal of lead pipes mitigates the risk of lead exposure, a significant public health concern.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

The modernization of the water treatment facility is a key investment in sustainable infrastructure, aligning with SDG 9.

• Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure. By upgrading the aging plant with modern technology, Englewood is building a more efficient and resilient water system for the future.

Project Status and Key Accomplishments

As of the current reporting period, Director of Utilities Pieter Van Ry assesses the project progress as an “improving ‘B’.” Substantial work has been completed to modernize the water treatment plant and distribution system.

Water Treatment Plant Modernization

Key technological upgrades have been implemented to improve the treatment process and directly impact water quality, in line with SDG 6 and SDG 9.

1. New Centrifuge System: A modern centrifuge has been installed for more efficient removal of sediment and solids, which are a primary source of taste and odor issues.
2. Ozone Treatment System: This new system mitigates algae and biological compounds that cause undesirable taste and odor, further improving water quality.
3. System Control and Circulation Enhancements:
   • New valves have been installed to improve system control and enable more effective flushing protocols.
   • Tank mixers have been added to prevent water stagnation in storage tanks, ensuring freshness.

Measurable Improvements

The projects have yielded tangible results in water quality, demonstrating progress toward SDG 6 targets.

• Water Hardness Reduction: Hardness levels have been reduced from a previous level of 250 to approximately 150. The ultimate goal is to achieve a level below 100.

Ongoing and Future Initiatives

City Ditch Piping Project

A forthcoming project will enclose the remaining open sections of the city ditch. This infrastructure upgrade is critical for protecting the raw water supply from stormwater runoff and associated contaminants, directly supporting SDG Target 6.3 by preventing pollution at the source.

Lead Service Line Replacement Program

In a major public health initiative contributing to SDG 3 and SDG 6, the city is actively removing all lead service lines.

• Progress: Approximately 2,800 of an estimated 11,000 lead service lines have been replaced.
• Goal: The city aims to remove all remaining lead service lines within the next several years, ensuring safer drinking water for all residents.

Analysis of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The article connects to this goal through its focus on water safety. The project to remove lead service lines is a direct effort to prevent health problems associated with lead contamination, thus reducing illnesses from hazardous chemicals in the water.

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  This is the most central SDG in the article. The entire piece discusses Englewood’s efforts to improve the quality, taste, color, and safety of its drinking water. It covers modernizing treatment facilities, managing water sources to prevent contamination, and ensuring the water is safe for consumption.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

  The article highlights the modernization of aging infrastructure. The city is investing in new technology for its water treatment plant, such as a new centrifuge and an ozone treatment system, and upgrading the distribution system with new valves and tank mixers. This represents a clear effort to develop quality, reliable, and sustainable infrastructure.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The initiatives described are part of a broader effort to improve basic services for the residents of Englewood. By upgrading the water system, the city is working to ensure its community is sustainable and provides a safe environment for its inhabitants.

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

• 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.
    
    Explanation: The article explicitly mentions the project to “remove every lead service line in the next few years.” Lead is a hazardous chemical, and removing it from the water delivery system directly addresses the goal of reducing illnesses from water contamination.

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  • Target 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
    
    Explanation: The article details numerous projects aimed at improving water that, while “safe to drink,” has issues with “taste, color and hardness.” The goal is to improve the overall quality and safety, including removing lead lines, which is fundamental to providing safe drinking water.
  • Target 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials…
    
    Explanation: The “city ditch piping project” is designed to “prevent stormwater runoff from the street and those contaminants from getting into the city ditch,” which is a direct measure to reduce pollution of a water source. The new centrifuge and ozone systems also improve water quality by removing solids and biological compounds.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

  • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure…to support economic development and human well-being.
    
    Explanation: The article describes the “extensive work to modernize the aging water treatment plant.” This includes adding a “new centrifuge,” an “ozone treatment system,” new “valves in that help us control the system better,” and “tank mixers.” These are all examples of developing and upgrading infrastructure to make it more reliable and effective.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  • Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.
    
    Explanation: The improvement of the municipal water supply is a core component of providing “basic services” to a city’s population. The entire water improvement plan discussed is an effort to enhance this essential service for the residents of Englewood.

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

• For Target 6.1 (Access to safe drinking water):

  • Indicator: Water hardness levels. The article provides a specific metric: “the water hardness levels are around 150, down from 250 before the projects started. The goal is to eventually get below 100.” This is a quantifiable measure of water quality improvement.
  • Indicator: Subjective quality of water (taste and odor). The article mentions that a key goal of the new centrifuge and ozone systems is to address “taste and odor,” which are key aspects of water quality perceived by consumers.

• For Target 3.9 (Reduce illness from hazardous chemicals):

  • Indicator: Number of lead service lines replaced. The article states that “Englewood Utilities has replaced around 2,800 of its lead service lines” out of an “estimated total of 11,000.” This provides a clear, measurable indicator of progress in removing a source of hazardous chemical contamination.

• For Target 9.1 (Develop quality infrastructure):

  • Indicator: Implementation of new technologies. The article lists the specific infrastructure upgrades completed, such as the installation of a “new centrifuge,” an “ozone treatment system,” “a number of valves,” and “tank mixers.” The completion of these projects serves as a qualitative indicator of infrastructure modernization.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: denver7.com