Estes Park’s water journey (part 2) — Safe drinking water, treatment and future reliability – Estes Park Trail-Gazette

Report on the Estes Park Water System: Infrastructure, Challenges, and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Water Treatment in the Context of Global Sustainability

This report details the operational status, historical context, and future direction of the Estes Park municipal water system. The analysis emphasizes the system’s alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). The journey from raw water sources to safe, potable drinking water requires robust infrastructure and management, which are critical for community health and sustainable development.

Historical Development and Regulatory Framework

Public Health Drivers and the Pursuit of SDG 3

Colorado’s history of waterborne disease outbreaks has been a significant catalyst for regulatory and technological advancements, directly supporting the objectives of SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). Key historical events that spurred progress include:

• The 1849 disease outbreak in Julesburg.
• Multiple waterborne disease outbreaks during the 1960s and 1970s.
• The 2008 waterborne disease outbreak in Alamosa.

These public health crises led to the passage of the Safe Drinking Water Act in the 1970s, empowering the Environmental Protection Agency to establish national standards. This legislative framework is fundamental to achieving SDG 6, Target 6.1: ensuring universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water.

Current Infrastructure Assessment and SDG 9 Challenges

Analysis of Water Treatment Facilities

The Estes Park water system currently operates two primary treatment plants, each with distinct technologies and limitations:

1. Marys Lake Treatment Plant: Operational since 1992 and upgraded in 2010, this facility uses membrane technology to treat water from the Colorado-Big Thompson Project.
2. Glacier Creek Treatment Plant: Built in 1971, this plant utilizes filters to treat water from Glacier Creek.

Infrastructure Deficiencies and a Call for Resilient Infrastructure (SDG 9)

Despite the dedicated efforts of the Water Division staff, the current infrastructure presents significant challenges that impede progress toward SDG 9, which calls for building resilient infrastructure. Key deficiencies include:

• Aging Assets: Both facilities are aging, with the Glacier Creek plant over 50 years old.
• Lack of Redundancy: Neither facility possesses backup or redundant treatment units, creating vulnerabilities and limiting the ability to meet peak demand if a portion of a facility is non-operational.
• Limited Upgradability: The current designs are not easily adaptable to incorporate modern, advanced treatment technologies required to meet future regulations.
• Operational Constraints: The facilities are not equipped for continuous, year-round operation.

These limitations underscore the urgent need for investment in modern, resilient infrastructure to ensure the long-term reliability and sustainability of the water supply, a core tenet of SDG 9 and SDG 11.

Evolving Regulations and Future Compliance

Addressing Emerging Contaminants for SDG 6

The regulatory landscape is continuously evolving to address emerging threats to water quality, directly aligning with SDG 6, Target 6.3, which aims to improve water quality by reducing pollution. New and forthcoming regulations necessitate advanced treatment capabilities:

• Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (2023, 2024): Mandate the identification of lead service lines, increased tap sampling, and strict adherence to corrosion control parameters.
• PFAS Regulations: The state is mandating limitations and treatment for PFAS (“forever” chemicals), although they are currently undetected in Estes Park’s water.
• Future Rules: Forthcoming revisions to the Microbial and Disinfection By-Products Rule and the Consumer Confidence Report Rule will impose stricter monitoring and reporting requirements.

Distribution System Integrity

The distribution system, characterized by old piping and installation methods, is susceptible to breaks. The 24/7 vigilance of water professionals is crucial for managing this aging infrastructure and protecting public health, reinforcing the operational commitment to SDG 3 and SDG 6.

Strategic Plan for a Sustainable and Resilient Water Future

Modernization to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals

To address the identified challenges and ensure future compliance, major upgrades to critical water assets are planned. These improvements are designed to advance the community’s progress on several SDGs. The strategic objectives include:

• Increase System Redundancy and Reliability (SDG 9, SDG 11): Building a new treatment facility with adequate redundancies will ensure the system can reliably meet peak demand and is resilient to operational disruptions.
• Enhance Treatment Capabilities (SDG 6): Incorporating advanced, cost-effective, and modern treatment technologies will ensure compliance with future regulations concerning emerging contaminants.
• Optimize System Operations (SDG 11): Upgrades will improve overall system efficiency, including critical fire flow protection, contributing to a safer and more sustainable community.

These efforts are essential for maintaining public trust and guaranteeing the delivery of high-quality water, thereby securing a healthy and sustainable future for the Estes Park community.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

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

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  This is the most central SDG addressed. The entire article revolves around the provision of safe drinking water, detailing the journey from raw water sources to treatment, distribution, and the challenges involved. It discusses water quality, safety regulations, and the infrastructure required to deliver clean water to the community of Estes Park.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The article connects directly to public health by emphasizing the importance of safe drinking water. It references historical “waterborne disease outbreaks” as a key driver for regulatory advancements. The ongoing efforts to remove contaminants like lead, PFAS (“forever” chemicals), and microbes are explicitly aimed at protecting the community from illness and ensuring public health and safety.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  A significant portion of the article is dedicated to the state of water infrastructure. It describes the water treatment plants and distribution system as “aging,” lacking “sufficient redundancy,” and being “susceptible to breaks.” The discussion about planning “major upgrades” and building a new facility with “modern treatment technologies” directly addresses the need for reliable, resilient, and sustainable infrastructure.

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

• SDG Target 6.1: Achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.

  The article’s core theme is the effort of the Estes Park Water Division to ensure “high-quality water is delivered to our community.” The discussion about meeting and exceeding service expectations, despite challenges, and upholding public trust in the water supply directly relates to achieving safe drinking water access for the town’s population.

• SDG Target 6.3: Improve water quality by reducing pollution and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals.

  This target is addressed through the detailed description of water treatment processes designed to handle varying raw water quality. The article highlights the need to manage “emerging contaminants, microplastics, and ‘forever’ chemicals” and mentions new state and federal regulations, such as the PFAS Rule and the Lead and Copper Rule, which mandate stricter monitoring and treatment to improve water quality.

• SDG Target 3.9: Substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and water pollution and contamination.

  The article explicitly links water treatment to public health by citing past “waterborne disease outbreaks” as the catalyst for the Safe Drinking Water Act. The continuous work of water professionals to “remain vigilant against threats to public health and safety” and comply with rules for lead, copper, and microbial by-products is a direct action towards preventing illnesses caused by contaminated water.

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

  The article identifies significant gaps in infrastructure resilience. It states that the current treatment plants are “aging, lack sufficient redundancy, and cannot be easily upgraded.” The distribution system’s old piping is “susceptible to breaks.” The plan for “major upgrades” to “increase system redundancy and reliability” is a direct response to the need for more resilient infrastructure as specified in this target.

• SDG Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure to make it sustainable and with increased resource-use efficiency.

  This target is reflected in the plan to build a new treatment facility. The article mentions the goal is to incorporate “the most appropriate advanced, cost-effective, and modern treatment technologies.” This move away from aging, limited facilities towards a new, efficient, and technologically advanced system capable of handling future challenges represents a clear effort to upgrade infrastructure for long-term sustainability.

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 (Safe Drinking Water):

  • Compliance with national standards: The article mentions the “Safe Drinking Water Act” and the EPA setting “national standards for drinking water” as a benchmark for safety.
  • Consumer Confidence Report: The article explicitly refers to the “annual Consumer Confidence Report” as a source of information, which serves as a public-facing indicator of water quality and safety.

• For Target 6.3 (Water Quality):

  • Contaminant Levels: The article implies measurement of specific contaminants. It states that “PFAS is currently undetected in our water” and mentions new rules requiring “increased monitoring” for lead, copper, and microbial by-products.
  • Adherence to Corrosion Control: The mention of the “2024 Lead and Copper Rule Improvements” requiring “strict adherence to corrosion control parameters” is a specific process indicator for maintaining water quality in the distribution system.

• For Target 3.9 (Health):

  • Incidence of Waterborne Disease: The article uses historical “waterborne disease outbreaks” as a negative indicator. The current absence of such outbreaks, due to robust treatment and management, is an implied indicator of success in protecting public health.

• For Target 9.1 (Resilient Infrastructure):

  • Infrastructure Age: The article provides the age of the facilities (“Glacier Creek Treatment Plant, built in 1971,” and “Marys Lake Treatment Plant, operational since 1992”) as an indicator of their condition.
  • System Redundancy: A key indicator of vulnerability mentioned is that the plants “lack sufficient redundancy” and do not “possess back-up or redundant treatment units.” Progress would be measured by the installation of such units.
  • Operational Capacity: The fact that “neither facility is equipped for year-round operation” is a specific indicator of the system’s limitations.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Summary Table

Source: eptrail.com