Report on Idaho’s Private Well Water Safety Initiatives and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Addressing Water Quality for Idaho Residents

A significant portion of Idaho’s population, nearly 30%, relies on unregulated private wells for their primary drinking water source. This situation presents a direct challenge to achieving key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). The absence of governmental oversight for private wells means the responsibility for ensuring water safety falls upon the well owner. Contaminants that are undetectable by taste, sight, or smell can pose serious health risks, making regular water testing an essential public health measure.

The Idaho Bureau of Laboratories (IBL) provides critical testing services and certifies laboratories statewide, creating an institutional framework that supports the health and safety of Idahoans and aligns with SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).

Initiative for Vulnerable Populations: The Foster Family Program

In a targeted effort to advance SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), the IBL launched a program in September 2024 to provide free well water testing for certified foster family homes. This initiative directly supports vulnerable children and their caregivers, ensuring their access to safe drinking water as a fundamental component of a healthy living environment.

• Program Launch: Mid-September 2024
• Beneficiaries: Certified foster families supporting foster children.
• Impact to Date: 98 bacteriological tests have been completed, providing families with crucial information about their water quality and contributing to the well-being of at-risk children (SDG 3).

This program demonstrates the IBL’s commitment to community support and its role in protecting Idaho’s most vulnerable residents.

Challenges and Future Directions for Statewide Impact

Dr. Chris Ball, IBL Bureau Chief, has expressed a desire to expand the free testing program to achieve broader geographic coverage, with a particular focus on rural areas. This expansion would further the state’s progress toward SDG 6 by addressing water access and safety in underserved communities.

Key Challenges:

1. Logistical Constraints: The primary obstacle is the requirement that water samples reach a certified laboratory within 24 hours of collection.
2. Rural Access: Overcoming this logistical challenge is crucial for reaching remote populations and ensuring equitable access to testing services, a core tenet of SDG 10.

Public Resources and Strategic Partnerships

To empower all citizens with information, the IBL has engaged in multi-agency collaborations, reflecting SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). These partnerships have produced valuable public resources that promote informed decision-making regarding water safety.

Available Resources:

• Ground Water Quality Near Me Map: An interactive tool allowing residents to check for elevated levels of contaminants in their specific area.
• Get Healthy Idaho Dashboard: A comprehensive resource providing information on:
  • Regional contaminants of concern.
  • Recommended testing parameters and frequency.
  • Guidance on proper well maintenance.

These tools enhance public access to vital environmental health information, supporting the goals of creating safe, resilient, and sustainable communities (SDG 11).

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

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• The article directly connects the safety of drinking water to health outcomes. It states that some contaminants “could cause health problems” and that the Idaho Bureau of Laboratories (IBL) provides testing services “to protect the health and safety of Idahoans.” The initiative specifically supports foster families, aiming to ensure the well-being of vulnerable children.

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

• The central theme of the article is access to safe drinking water, particularly for the 30% of Idaho residents who rely on unregulated private wells. The efforts of the IBL, including providing free testing and creating informational resources like the “Ground Water Quality Near Me” map, are direct actions to ensure water safety.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• The program specifically targets a vulnerable group: “foster families for certified family homes supporting foster children.” By offering free well water testing, the IBL is reducing the financial barrier to a critical health and safety service for those caring for vulnerable children, thereby addressing inequality in access to resources.

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

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

• The article’s focus on testing for unseen, tasteless, or odorless contaminants that “could cause health problems” directly aligns with this target. The program’s goal is to prevent waterborne illnesses by identifying and enabling the mitigation of contaminated water sources for families.

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

• The article highlights a gap in safe water access for the 30% of Idahoans on private wells. The IBL’s initiative to provide free testing for foster families is a step towards making safe drinking water more accessible and affordable for a specific segment of the population, contributing to the goal of equitable access. The desire to expand the program “statewide and especially in rural areas” further supports this target.

Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.

• By waiving fees for foster families, the program removes an economic barrier and empowers this group to ensure a safe environment for the vulnerable children in their care. This action promotes the inclusion and well-being of a specific group that might otherwise lack the resources for regular water testing.

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

Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services.

• The article implies this indicator by stating that “nearly 30% of Idaho residents rely on private wells,” which are unregulated and thus not considered “safely managed” without regular testing. The program’s efforts to increase testing contribute to improving this metric.

Number of program-specific services provided.

• The article provides a direct quantitative measure of the program’s output: “they have completed 98 bacteriological tests.” This number serves as a direct indicator of the program’s reach and the number of families assisted in ensuring their water is safe.

Availability of public information on water quality.

• The article mentions the creation of an “interactive map called Ground Water Quality Near Me” and a “dashboard on the Get Healthy Idaho webpage.” These resources serve as indicators of progress in making water quality data publicly accessible, which empowers well owners to make informed decisions.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: healthandwelfare.idaho.gov