Construction begins at Oakmont wastewater treatment plant – TribLIVE.com

Oakmont Wastewater Treatment Plant Modernization Project: A Commitment to Sustainable Development Goals

Project Overview and Strategic Objectives

A significant infrastructure improvement project is underway at the Oakmont wastewater treatment plant on Ann Street. The initiative, managed by Hatch Engineering, aims to modernize the facility and enhance its environmental performance, aligning with global sustainability targets. Construction commenced in August following a June council approval.

• Project Focus: Modernization and environmental upgrade of the wastewater treatment facility.
• Timeline: Construction began in August, with a projected completion date of June 2027.
• Total Cost: Approximately $18.8 million.
• Contractor: Lone Pine Construction.

Advancing SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

The project is a direct implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 6, which aims to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. By upgrading the plant for the first time since 2008, the borough is taking critical steps to improve water quality and protect local ecosystems, directly addressing SDG Target 6.3 on reducing water pollution and increasing safe wastewater treatment.

• Enhanced Treatment Processes: A new, larger clarifier will be installed to remove finer solids more effectively. This will increase the plant’s capacity to process more water efficiently, improving the quality of treated water returned to the environment.
• Modern Disinfection: The introduction of an ultraviolet (UV) disinfection system represents a technological advancement in water treatment, ensuring a higher standard of water purification.
• Improved Aeration System: Upgrades to the aeration system are designed to make the plant more environmentally conscious, contributing to the overall health of the local water cycle.

Contribution to Broader Sustainability Goals

Beyond its primary focus on water quality, the project contributes to several interconnected SDGs, fostering a more resilient and sustainable community.

1. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The modernization effort builds resilient infrastructure by replacing outdated systems with modern, efficient technology. This investment strengthens essential public services and supports long-term community well-being.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: By improving municipal waste management, the project reduces the borough’s environmental footprint. This initiative is crucial for creating a more sustainable and resilient urban environment for Oakmont residents, in line with SDG Target 11.6.
3. SDG 13: Climate Action: The installation of a new generator and modernized systems is anticipated to enhance energy efficiency, thereby reducing the plant’s operational carbon footprint and contributing to climate action.

Project Status and Financial Framework

The project is progressing steadily, with initial site preparation and demolition phases completed. The front of the plant has been graded for a new generator, and two previous clarifiers have been demolished to make way for the expanded, modern unit. Construction of the new clarifier is expected to begin in the coming weeks.

• Financial Sourcing: The project is fully funded through a responsible combination of municipal bonds, grants, and borough earnings, ensuring financial sustainability.
  • Bonds: $16 million
  • Grants: $1.5 million
  • Bond Earnings: $1 million
  • Borough Earnings: $430,000

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

   The article on the Oakmont wastewater treatment plant improvement project directly connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) focused on water, infrastructure, and sustainable communities.

   • SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

     This is the most prominent SDG addressed. The entire project is centered on improving and modernizing a wastewater treatment plant, which is fundamental to ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation.

   • SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

     The project involves a significant upgrade to essential public infrastructure. By investing $18.8 million to modernize the plant with new equipment like an “expanded clarifier” and an “ultraviolet disinfection system,” the borough is building resilient and sustainable infrastructure.

   • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

     Improving wastewater management is a critical component of creating sustainable cities. The project contributes to reducing the environmental impact of the Oakmont borough by ensuring that wastewater is treated more effectively before being discharged, making the community safer and more environmentally conscious.

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

   The article’s details align with specific targets under the identified SDGs.

   • Target 6.3: Improve water quality by reducing pollution and halving the proportion of untreated wastewater.

     The project’s core purpose is to improve water quality. The article states that the new equipment, including an “ultraviolet disinfection system” and an “expanded clarifier,” is intended to make the plant “more environmentally conscious” and allow it to “process more water, more effectively.” This directly addresses the goal of reducing pollution from wastewater.

   • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure.

     The project is a direct implementation of this target. The article describes it as an “improvement project” to “modernize the plant for the first time since 2008.” The significant financial investment and the planned five-year construction timeline (ending June 2027) demonstrate a commitment to developing quality and resilient sanitation infrastructure.

   • Target 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to… municipal and other waste management.

     By upgrading its wastewater treatment capabilities, the borough of Oakmont is actively working to reduce its environmental footprint. The improvements to the aeration system and the addition of advanced disinfection methods are concrete actions to improve municipal waste management and lessen the environmental impact on the surrounding area.

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

   While the article does not mention official SDG indicators by name, it provides specific details that can serve as practical indicators of progress.

   • Indicator for Target 6.3: Proportion of wastewater safely treated.

     The article implies this will be measured by the plant’s enhanced capabilities. The installation of an “ultraviolet disinfection system” and a larger clarifier that can “process more water, more effectively” are indicators of an increased proportion of wastewater being treated to a higher standard before discharge.

   • Indicator for Target 9.1: Total government investment in infrastructure.

     A clear, quantifiable indicator is mentioned in the article: the total project cost of “just over $18.8 million.” This financial commitment serves as a direct measure of the investment being made to develop and upgrade sustainable sanitation infrastructure.

   • Indicator for Target 11.6: Level of wastewater treatment.

     The article implies an improvement in the level of treatment. The demolition of old clarifiers and the planned construction of a new, larger one, along with the addition of a modern “ultraviolet disinfection system,” indicate a move towards a more advanced (e.g., tertiary) level of wastewater treatment, which is a key measure of a city’s management of municipal waste.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article. In this table, list the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), their corresponding targets, and the specific indicators identified in the article.

   SDGs	Targets	Indicators
   SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation	6.3: Improve water quality by reducing pollution and increasing the proportion of safely treated wastewater.	Implementation of advanced treatment technologies (ultraviolet disinfection system, expanded clarifier) to process more water more effectively.
   SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure	9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure.	Total financial investment in sanitation infrastructure, specified as “$18.8 million.”
   SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities	11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, particularly in waste management.	Modernization of the plant to make it “more environmentally conscious,” indicating an improved level of municipal wastewater treatment.

Source: triblive.com