Editorial: Local, national efforts keep our water sources safe – Lowell Sun

Report on Source Water Protection and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: The Critical Role of Source Water in Achieving SDG 6

The provision of clean, safe drinking water is a foundational element of public health and a primary target of Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). The integrity of this provision begins not at the treatment plant, but at the source. Protecting natural water sources is a critical, proactive strategy that safeguards aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, thereby supporting SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 15 (Life on Land). This report outlines the challenges, financial considerations, and strategic actions being taken to protect source water, aligning local efforts with global sustainability targets.

Key Challenges and Financial Imperatives

The emergence of previously unknown contaminants, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), underscores the necessity of sustained investment in source water protection. A preventative approach could have mitigated the widespread environmental presence of these “forever chemicals.”

• The American Water Works Association’s 2025 State of the Water Industry report identified source water protection as the top industry issue for the first time in 21 years.
• The report also highlighted a capital funding crisis, with an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimate of $630 billion required over the next two decades to maintain and improve the nation’s clean water infrastructure. This investment is crucial for building resilient infrastructure as outlined in SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
• Economic analysis indicates that protecting source water is significantly more cost-effective than treating contamination after it occurs, presenting a clear financial case for preventative investment.

Case Studies: Municipal Strategies for Sustainable Water Management

Local municipalities are implementing diverse strategies that directly contribute to the achievement of multiple SDGs.

Fitchburg and Lowell: Infrastructure Upgrades for Water Quality

• Both cities have invested millions to eliminate combined sewer overflows, which discharge untreated sewage into the Nashua and Merrimack rivers.
• This action directly addresses SDG 6 by improving the quality of water sources for downstream communities and contributes to SDG 14 by reducing pollution in aquatic ecosystems.

Leominster: Land Acquisition as a Natural Filtration Strategy

• The city has pursued a long-term plan to purchase watershed land, adding 700 acres over 30 years to bring the total protected area to over 2,300 acres.
• This strategy leverages natural ecosystems for water filtration, a core principle of SDG 15. According to city officials, this approach ensures a continuous supply of clean water, reduces treatment costs, mitigates flood risks, and preserves wildlife habitats.
• The protection of these lands, including parcels targeted for development like Sholan Farms, was achieved through multi-stakeholder collaboration between city departments, land trusts, the state, and private landowners, exemplifying SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Statewide Framework and Collaborative Efforts

Across Massachusetts, a coordinated approach reinforces the importance of source water protection. The Massachusetts Water Works Association (MWWA) champions these efforts, highlighting that a strong water system is built on the foundation of a protected source. More than 200,000 acres of land are currently protected to guard public water sources statewide. The established best practice is for a municipal utility to own, or protect via conservation restriction, all land within a minimum of 400 feet of a reservoir or well, a tangible policy supporting SDG 6 and SDG 15.

Public Engagement and Individual Responsibility for Sustainable Water Use

Achieving the SDGs requires collective action. Residents can contribute directly to protecting local water sources and advancing SDG 6 and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) through the following actions:

1. Do not disturb vegetation or habitats surrounding waterways, as they are critical to maintaining water quality.
2. Be aware of and adhere to posted restrictions on recreational use in watershed areas.
3. Properly dispose of pet waste and trash to prevent contamination.
4. Limit the use of pesticides and fertilizers in yard care to reduce chemical runoff.
5. Do not flush medications, which can enter the wastewater system and the broader environment.
6. Utilize commercial car washes to ensure chemical cleaners do not enter storm drains or water sources.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

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

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 15: Life on Land

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

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
  • Target 6.1: Achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all. The article’s central theme is the effort required to deliver “clean, drinkable water” and ensure it remains “safe for future generations.”
  • Target 6.3: Improve water quality by reducing pollution. The article details efforts to “eliminate combined sewer overflows, which deposit untreated sewage into the Nashua and Merrimack rivers” and prevent contamination from pollutants like PFAS, pesticides, and fertilizers.
  • Target 6.5: Implement integrated water resources management. The collaboration in Leominster between “city departments, land trusts, the state, property owners, and developers” to protect the watershed is a direct example of integrated management.
  • Target 6.6: Protect and restore water-related ecosystems. The primary strategy discussed is protecting watersheds by purchasing land. Leominster has added “700 acres of protected land,” bringing its total to over 2,300 acres around its reservoirs and wells.
  • Target 6.b: Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management. The article concludes with a list of actions residents can take to “help keep their local water sources clean,” such as limiting pesticide use and properly disposing of medications.
• SDG 15: Life on Land
  • Target 15.1: Ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems. The article highlights the protection of over “200,000 acres of protected land” across Massachusetts to guard public water sources and keep watershed parcels “in their natural state.”
  • Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats. By purchasing land targeted for development, such as Sholan Farms, the city of Leominster directly prevented the degradation of natural habitats within the watershed, which also “provides habitats for wildlife.”
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
  • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure. The article points to the EPA’s estimate of a “$630 billion investment” needed to “maintain and improve our nation’s clean water infrastructure” and mentions local commitments to “upgrading and retrofitting their water treatment plants and other sewerage infrastructure.”
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
  • Target 3.9: Substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and water pollution. The article emphasizes that “clean, reliable drinking water is critical for public health” and discusses the importance of preventing contamination from “forever chemicals” like PFAS and untreated sewage to safeguard public health.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
  • Target 11.5: Reduce the number of people affected by water-related disasters. The article notes that “protecting watersheds also reduces flood risks,” which is a key aspect of building resilient communities.
  • Target 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to municipal and other waste management. The efforts by Fitchburg and Lowell to “eliminate combined sewer overflows” directly address the management of municipal wastewater to reduce urban environmental impact.

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

• Area of protected land: The article provides specific figures that can be used as an indicator for progress on protecting ecosystems (Targets 6.6 and 15.1). It states that Leominster has added “700 acres of protected land,” bringing its total to “more than 2,300 acres,” and that Massachusetts has “more than 200,000 acres of protected land” guarding water sources.
• Financial investment in infrastructure: The article mentions the monetary investment required and made, which serves as an indicator for infrastructure development (Target 9.1). It cites the EPA’s estimate of a “$630 billion investment” needed nationally and notes that Fitchburg and Lowell have “poured millions” into eliminating sewer overflows.
• Reduction in pollution events: The goal to “eliminate combined sewer overflows” implies that the number and volume of these overflow events are measurable indicators of progress in reducing water pollution (Target 6.3 and 11.6).
• Water quality parameters: The mention of specific contaminants like “PFAS,” “untreated sewage,” “pesticides,” and “fertilizers” implies that the concentration of these substances in water sources is a key indicator for measuring water quality and public health safety (Targets 6.3 and 3.9).

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: lowellsun.com