Girard receives loan for Upper Girard Lake Dam, clean water – WFMJ.com

Ohio Water Infrastructure Investment Aligns with Sustainable Development Goals

Overview of State-Level Financing Initiative

A report on the recent allocation of funds by the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA) indicates a significant investment in water infrastructure, directly supporting several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

• Total Financing: $11.7 million
• Primary Objective: To improve wastewater and drinking water infrastructure, thereby enhancing water quality across the state.
• Direct Contribution to SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): The initiative is fundamentally designed to advance the goal of ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all Ohio residents.
• Support for SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): By financing upgrades to critical infrastructure, the program makes communities more resilient, safe, and sustainable.

Analysis of Key Financed Projects

Among the 11 projects approved for financing, several exemplify the state’s commitment to achieving specific SDG targets.

1. City of Girard: Dam Safety and Water Source Protection

   • Loan Details: $547,231 at 4.80% for five years.
   • Project Scope: The design of safety improvements for the Upper Girard Lake Dam, including its emergency spillway and toe drain, to meet state regulatory requirements.
   • SDG Alignment:
     • SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): Securing dam infrastructure is critical for protecting the integrity and safety of a community’s drinking water source.
     • SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): This project directly addresses the need for resilient infrastructure to safeguard communities against potential water-related hazards.

2. West Farmington: Wastewater Management Enhancement

   • Loan Details: $170,083.70 at 1.75% for 20 years.
   • Project Scope: Construction of a septage receiving station at the local Wastewater Treatment Plant to provide adequate service for users with onsite treatment systems.
   • SDG Alignment:
     • SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): The project expands access to safely managed sanitation services and improves wastewater treatment, which is crucial for preventing the pollution of local ecosystems.
     • SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): By ensuring the proper management of septage, the project contributes to public health and prevents the spread of waterborne diseases.

Broader Impact and SDG Contributions

• The comprehensive initiative, which also provides loans to municipalities such as Waverly, Toledo, Strasburg, Marengo, Byesville, and Columbus, demonstrates a broad commitment to sustainable development.
• This statewide effort supports SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by investing in the development of quality, reliable, and sustainable water infrastructure.
• The financing model, wherein a state authority empowers local governments, exemplifies SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by fostering collaboration to achieve shared sustainability objectives.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

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

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • The article’s central theme is the financing of projects to improve “wastewater and drinking water infrastructure” and “water quality.” This directly aligns with the goal of ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. Specific projects mentioned, like the construction of a septage receiving station at a wastewater treatment plant, are core to this SDG.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • The article discusses funding for the “design of safety improvements to the Upper Girard Lake Dam” and the “construction of a septage receiving station.” These are clear examples of building and upgrading resilient infrastructure, which is a key component of SDG 9. The focus is on developing quality and reliable infrastructure to support community well-being.
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The projects are located in specific municipalities like Girard and West Farmington, aiming to improve essential services and safety for their residents. The “safety improvements to the Upper Girard Lake Dam” directly contribute to making communities safer and more resilient against potential water-related disasters, a key aspect of making human settlements sustainable.

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

1. Under SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation):
   • Target 6.1: Achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all. The financing for “drinking water infrastructure” improvements aims to ensure the reliability and safety of the water supply for the communities mentioned.
   • Target 6.3: Improve water quality by reducing pollution… and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse. The funding for “improving wastewater… infrastructure” and the construction of a “septage receiving station at the West Farmington Wastewater Treatment Plant” are direct actions to manage wastewater more effectively and improve overall water quality in the state.
2. Under SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure):
   • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… to support… human well-being. The loans for dam safety improvements and wastewater treatment facilities are investments in creating more resilient and reliable local infrastructure.
3. Under SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities):
   • Target 11.5: Significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected… caused by disasters, including water-related disasters. The project for “safety improvements to the Upper Girard Lake Dam” is a preventative measure designed to mitigate the risks associated with dam failure, which is a potential water-related disaster.

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

1. Financial Investment as an Indicator:
   • The article explicitly states the total amount of financing ($11.7 million) from the Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA) and the specific loan amounts for individual projects (e.g., “$547,231” for Girard, “$170,083.70” for West Farmington). These figures serve as a direct indicator of the financial resources being mobilized for water and sanitation infrastructure (relevant to SDG 6 and 9).
2. Number of Projects as an Indicator:
   • The article mentions that Girard’s loan is “one of the 11 project loans through the Ohio program.” The total number of infrastructure projects being funded is a quantifiable measure of the effort to improve water infrastructure across the state.
3. Compliance with Regulations as an Indicator:
   • The work on the Girard Lake Dam is being done “to comply with Ohio Department of Natural Resources requirements.” Achieving compliance with these official safety and environmental standards is an implicit indicator of progress towards building safer and more resilient infrastructure (relevant to SDG 9 and 11).

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

Source: wfmj.com