Report on Water Quality Intervention at Santee Sioux Nation

1.0 Introduction

This report details the response of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 7 to a drinking water contamination event at the Santee Sioux Nation in Nebraska during September 2025. The intervention highlights a collaborative effort to ensure public health and directly aligns with several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning clean water, health, and partnerships.

2.0 Incident Overview and Initial Response

The incident was initiated by the detection of bacterial contamination in the Santee Sioux public drinking water utility, triggering a series of response actions in line with public health and safety protocols.

1. Detection: Routine sampling in early September indicated the presence of total coliform bacteria. One location showed levels of Escherichia coli (E. coli) that exceeded the EPA’s maximum contaminant level (MCL).
2. Public Health Advisory: The MCL violation necessitated the issuance of a boil water advisory, which was hand-delivered to consumers on September 5. This action is a critical measure to protect public health, directly supporting SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).
3. Initial Remediation: On September 6-7, Tribal leadership took immediate action to flush water lines and increase disinfection of the water system, demonstrating local commitment to SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

3.0 EPA Technical Assistance and Collaborative Action

In alignment with SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), EPA Region 7 mobilized resources to support the Santee Sioux Nation. This partnership is fundamental to achieving sustainable outcomes in water management and public health.

• Expert Deployment: On September 8, two EPA drinking-water scientists were deployed to begin a mandatory Level 2 Assessment, a systematic evaluation required by the Safe Drinking Water Act to identify and correct sanitary defects.
• On-Site Support: The EPA team provided on-site assistance, conducting follow-up sampling and aiding in system flushing activities.
• Advanced Technology: On September 9, the EPA deployed its Mobile Drinking Water Lab and two additional scientists, enabling rapid, on-site sample analysis. This technological support accelerates the process of ensuring water safety, a key component of building resilient infrastructure as noted in SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

4.0 Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

The coordinated response to this water quality issue underscores a strong commitment to the global SDG framework. The actions taken by the EPA and the Santee Sioux Nation directly contribute to the following goals:

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: The core objective of the intervention—to eliminate bacterial contamination and restore safe drinking water—is a direct implementation of Target 6.1, which aims to achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: By addressing the presence of E. coli, a potent cause of waterborne disease, the effort directly supports Target 3.9, which seeks to substantially reduce illnesses from water pollution and contamination.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: Providing dedicated federal support to a Tribal nation ensures that all communities, including indigenous populations, have access to safe essential services and environmental protection, addressing inequalities in public health infrastructure.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The collaboration between a federal agency (EPA) and a sovereign Tribal nation (Santee Sioux) serves as a model for the multi-stakeholder partnerships required to address complex environmental and health challenges effectively.

5.0 Current Status and Next Steps

The situation remains under active management, with a focus on ensuring a complete resolution and the long-term sustainability of the water system.

• Preliminary Findings: Samples from September 10-11 did not indicate the presence of E. coli in the water distribution lines. However, one of the two supply wells tested positive on September 9.
• Precautionary Measures: The boil water advisory remains in place while EPA and Tribal leadership collaborate to identify and mitigate the potential source of contamination at the well.
• Future Actions: The EPA will continue to coordinate with the water system to resolve the issue. Final sample results will be shared with the utility and the community to maintain transparency and ensure public confidence in the safety of their drinking water, reinforcing the principles of good governance and community well-being central to the SDGs.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The article addresses health by focusing on the contamination of drinking water with E. coli, a bacterium that can cause illness. The issuance of a boil water advisory and the efforts to decontaminate the water system are direct actions to protect the community’s health.

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  This is the central SDG in the article. The entire narrative revolves around ensuring “clean and safe drinking water” for the Santee Sioux Nation. It details the process of water quality testing, identifying contamination, and implementing corrective actions like flushing water lines and increasing disinfection.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The article highlights a partnership between a federal government agency (U.S. EPA) and a local community (Santee Sioux Nation). The EPA provides technical expertise, equipment (Mobile Drinking Water Lab), and personnel to assist the local utility, demonstrating a collaborative approach to solving a critical environmental and health issue.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

• 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. The effort to eliminate E. coli from the public drinking water system is a direct action to prevent waterborne illnesses within the Santee Sioux Nation.

• 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 article describes the immediate response to a contamination event to restore safe drinking water access for the community served by the Santee Sioux public drinking water utility.
  • Target 6.b: Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management. The article exemplifies this target through the collaborative work between the EPA and the Santee Sioux Tribal leadership and utility to resolve the water quality issue.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships. The joint effort between the EPA (a public agency) and the Santee Sioux Nation (a sovereign nation and community) to address the water contamination is a clear example of an effective public partnership.

Indicators Mentioned or Implied

• Indicators for SDG 3 and SDG 6

  • Presence of total coliform bacteria: The article explicitly states that total coliform is “an indicator used to determine the adequacy of water treatment and the integrity of the distribution system.” Its detection prompted further investigation.
  • Presence of E. coli bacteria: The detection of E. coli in water samples is a direct indicator of fecal contamination and a failure to meet safety standards. The article notes that preliminary sample findings later “did not indicate the presence of E.coli bacteria,” showing progress.
  • Exceedance of Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): The article mentions that the detection of E. coli “resulted in an exceedance of EPA’s maximum contaminant level (MCL) for the bacteria.” The MCL is a specific, legally enforceable standard used as a key performance indicator for water safety.

• Indicators for SDG 17

  • Mobilization of resources and expertise: The article implies progress in partnership by detailing the resources shared. The EPA deployed “two drinking-water scientists,” its “Mobile Drinking Water Lab,” and “two additional scientists” to provide “on-site assistance” and “rapid, on-site sample analysis.” This deployment is a measurable indicator of the partnership’s functional effectiveness.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

Source: epa.gov