Report on U.S. Tap Water Quality in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

A recent analysis of tap water quality across the United States provides critical insights into the nation’s progress toward United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), which ensures access to clean water and sanitation for all. The report identifies Florida as one of the top ten states for water quality, indicating strong performance in achieving targets related to SDG 6.1, which calls for universal access to safe and affordable drinking water. However, significant disparities between states highlight ongoing challenges in water management and public health infrastructure, impacting SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Methodology

The findings are based on a comprehensive analysis of federal data conducted by Evans Leak Detection. The methodology involved:

• Analysis of data from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Safe Drinking Water Information System.
• Ranking of states based on the number of water quality violations recorded per 100,000 residents.

Key Findings and State Rankings

The data reveals a substantial variance in water system performance, a key indicator for evaluating the effectiveness of infrastructure supporting SDG 6 and SDG 11. The violation rates serve as a direct measure of public access to safely managed drinking water.

1. Top Performer (Best Water Quality): Hawaii, with 156.42 water violations per 100,000 residents.
2. High Performer: Florida ranked tenth, with 264.01 water violations per 100,000 residents.
3. Lowest Performer (Worst Water Quality): Alaska, with 21,239.63 water violations per 100,000 residents.

Analysis and Implications for Sustainable Development

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

Florida’s high ranking demonstrates a positive step towards fulfilling the objectives of SDG 6. However, the report emphasizes the importance of infrastructure maintenance. Ron Hoffmeyer, CEO at Evans Leak Detection, noted that “Clean, treated water is an incredibly valuable resource, but one that’s often lost to hidden leaks.” This highlights the challenge of water loss, which directly impacts SDG 6.4 regarding water-use efficiency and sustainable resource management.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The quality of drinking water is intrinsically linked to public health outcomes, a core component of SDG 3. A recent legislative measure signed by Governor Ron DeSantis, which bans the addition of fluoride to public water systems, presents a potential conflict with public health objectives. Health experts and dentists have expressed concerns that removing fluoride could negatively impact dental health, a key aspect of overall well-being targeted by SDG 3.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  This goal is central to the article, which revolves entirely around the quality and safety of drinking tap water. The report discussed in the text ranks U.S. states based on their performance in providing clean drinking water, directly addressing the core mission of SDG 6 to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water for all.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The article connects water quality directly to public health. The premise of questioning whether tap water is “safe” implies a concern for health outcomes. Furthermore, the specific mention of the law banning fluoride and the subsequent warnings from “public health experts and dentists” explicitly links the chemical composition of drinking water to the well-being of the population, which is the focus of SDG 3.

2. Specific SDG Targets

1. Target 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.

   The article’s analysis of tap water quality is a direct evaluation of the “safe” drinking water aspect of this target. The ranking of states based on data from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Safe Drinking Water Information System is an effort to measure how well different regions are providing safe drinking water to their residents.

2. Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.

   This target is addressed through the article’s focus on “water quality violations.” These violations represent instances of pollution and contamination that can lead to illness. The discussion about banning fluoride, a chemical added to water for public health purposes, also falls under this target, as it concerns the management of chemical substances in drinking water to prevent adverse health effects.

3. Indicators for Measuring Progress

• Indicator for Target 6.1:

  The article explicitly uses and reports on a direct indicator for measuring the safety of drinking water: the “number of water quality violations per 100,000 residents.” This metric, derived from EPA data, quantifies the failure to meet safety standards. The article provides specific data points for this indicator, such as Florida’s 264.01 violations, Hawaii’s 156.42, and Alaska’s 21,239.63, demonstrating its use in measuring progress and comparing performance.

• Indicators for Target 3.9:

  The same indicator, the “number of water quality violations per 100,000 residents,” also serves to measure progress towards Target 3.9, as these violations represent exposure to potential water contamination that can cause illness. Additionally, the article implies a qualitative indicator: “policy decisions regarding water treatment chemicals.” The mention of Governor DeSantis signing a measure to ban fluoride is an example of a policy action that can be monitored as an indicator of how governments are managing chemical risks in public water systems.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: nbcmiami.com