Incident Report: Gem State Water System Pressure Loss and Public Advisory

1.0 Event Summary

On August 1, the Gem State Water system servicing the Coeur d’Alene, Idaho area experienced a significant drop in water pressure following an unplanned shutdown event. This incident has raised concerns about the potential for contamination to enter the water distribution system, prompting a public health advisory.

2.0 Impact on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The system failure and subsequent advisory directly impact several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting vulnerabilities in essential public services and infrastructure.

2.1 SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

This incident represents a critical challenge to ensuring universal access to safe and affordable drinking water (Target 6.1). The loss of pressure compromises the integrity of the water supply, creating conditions where contaminants could enter the system through backflow or back-siphonage. The immediate consequence is a temporary failure to provide the community with safely managed drinking water, a cornerstone of SDG 6.

• Access to Safe Water: The advisory to use bottled water underscores the interruption in the provision of safe tap water.
• Water Quality: The potential for bacteriological contamination directly threatens water quality, which is fundamental to public health and environmental safety.

2.2 SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The potential for water contamination poses a direct risk to public health, conflicting with the objective of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all (SDG 3). The precautionary measures are a direct response to mitigate the risk of waterborne diseases.

• Public Health Risk: Contaminated drinking water can lead to outbreaks of illness, placing a burden on individuals and public health systems.
• Preventative Measures: The advisory for customers to avoid drinking tap water is a critical public health intervention aimed at preventing illness and safeguarding community well-being until the system’s safety is verified.

2.3 SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The unplanned shutdown highlights the importance of resilient infrastructure (Target 11.5) in creating sustainable and safe communities. A failure in a critical utility such as the water distribution system demonstrates a vulnerability that can disrupt community life and safety.

• Infrastructure Resilience: The event underscores the need for robust, reliable, and well-maintained water infrastructure capable of withstanding unexpected operational failures.
• Community Safety: Ensuring the continuous and safe operation of essential services is paramount for a community’s sustainability and the safety of its residents.

3.0 Operational Response and Public Guidance

3.1 Remediation Actions

Gem State Water has initiated a response protocol to restore the system and ensure its safety, in line with its responsibility under SDG 6.

1. The distribution system is undergoing a comprehensive flushing process to purge any potential contaminants.
2. Water samples are being collected and transported for laboratory analysis to verify the water is free from harmful bacteria.
3. The company anticipates the full resolution of the issue and lifting of the advisory within four days.

3.2 Recommendations for Affected Customers

Until the water system is confirmed to be safe, customers are advised to adhere to the following guidelines:

• Drinking Water: Use bottled water for drinking and cooking purposes.
• Other Uses: Tap water remains safe for non-consumptive uses, including showering, washing clothes, dish-washing, and hand-washing.
• Discoloration: If water appears discolored, customers should flush their household lines until the water runs clear.

4.0 Contact Information

For further information, customers may contact Gem State Water through the following channels:

• Phone: 877-755-9287
• Email: info@gemstate-water.com

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

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  The article directly addresses the core principles of SDG 6. The central issue is a disruption in the safe water supply for residents in the Coeur d’Alene area due to a drop in water pressure. The notice from Gem State Water about potential contamination and the recommendation to drink bottled water highlight a temporary failure in providing clean and safe drinking water, which is the primary focus of this goal.

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

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

   This target is relevant because the incident described represents a temporary lapse in access to safe drinking water. The article states, “Gem State Water said the water pressure issue could make your home’s water unsafe for drinking,” forcing residents to “drink bottled water for a few days.” This situation is a direct challenge to the provision of safe and accessible drinking water.

2. Target 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution…

   This target is connected through the response to the incident. The potential for contamination (“a drop in/loss of water pressure creates conditions that could allow contamination to enter the distribution system”) and the subsequent actions to “remove any possible contaminants” by flushing the system directly relate to efforts to improve and restore water quality.

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

1. Indicator 6.1.1: Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services.

   The article implies a negative measurement for this indicator. For the duration of the advisory (“within four days”), the population served by Gem State Water is not using a “safely managed drinking water service” for consumption, as they are explicitly told the water is potentially “unsafe for drinking.” The number of customers affected by this advisory would be a direct data point for this indicator.

2. Indicator for Water Quality (related to Target 6.3):

   The article explicitly mentions a key activity used to measure water quality. It states that “samples are being analyzed to verify the water is free of bacteria.” The results of these tests (presence or absence of bacteria) serve as a direct indicator of the water quality within the distribution system, aligning with the goal of improving water quality under Target 6.3.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: kxly.com