Report on Clinton Water Treatment Plant’s Recognition for Excellence in Water Quality and Sustainable Development

Award Summary and Significance

The City of Lawrence’s Clinton Water Treatment Plant was awarded “Best Tasting Tap Water in Kansas” on August 26. The recognition was conferred at the annual joint conference of the Kansas Section of the American Water Works Association (KsAWWA) and the Kansas Water Environment Association (KWEA) in Topeka. This award highlights the city’s successful efforts in providing superior water quality, a key component of sustainable urban development.

1. Awarding Bodies: KsAWWA and KWEA
2. Recognition: Best Tasting Tap Water in Kansas
3. Prerequisite: A full year with no state or federal drinking water violations, underscoring a commitment to regulatory compliance and public safety.

Alignment with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The achievement by the Clinton Water Treatment Plant directly supports several key UN Sustainable Development Goals, demonstrating the City of Lawrence’s commitment to global sustainability targets.

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

• The award is a direct indicator of success in achieving targets related to safe and affordable drinking water for all residents.
• The plant’s violation-free record demonstrates effective water quality management and the protection of water-related ecosystems.
• Continuous operation and monitoring by dedicated staff ensure the sustainable management of water resources, a core principle of SDG 6.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• By providing clean, high-quality drinking water, the City of Lawrence actively contributes to the health and well-being of its community, reducing the risk of waterborne diseases.
• The rigorous standards required to win this award ensure that the water supply supports a healthy lifestyle for all citizens.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• This recognition reflects a significant investment in resilient and sustainable municipal infrastructure, which is essential for creating inclusive, safe, and sustainable cities.
• The consistent excellence in water treatment, demonstrated by both the Clinton plant and the Kaw plant’s 2019 award, showcases Lawrence’s capacity for providing reliable basic services.

Future Prospects and National Recognition

Eligibility for National Competition

As a result of this state-level award, the Clinton Water Treatment Plant is now qualified to represent Kansas in the national “Best of the Best” tap water competition. This event will be held at the American Water Works Association’s Annual Conference & Exposition (ACE26) in Washington, D.C., from June 21–24, 2026.

Sustained Commitment to Excellence

This is not an isolated achievement for the City of Lawrence. The Kaw Water Treatment Plant received the same award in 2019. This pattern of recognition underscores a long-term, city-wide commitment to maintaining the highest standards in water treatment and management, aligning with the long-term objectives of the Sustainable Development Goals.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

• The core theme of the article is the provision of safe, high-quality drinking water by the City of Lawrence’s Clinton Water Treatment Plant. This directly aligns with SDG 6, which aims to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. The article’s emphasis on the “extraordinary effort… to provide safe, high-quality drinking water” and maintaining “strict compliance with state and federal regulations” are central to the goals of SDG 6.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• The article connects the provision of clean water to public health by stating that the city’s efforts “protect community health.” Access to safe drinking water is a fundamental determinant of health, preventing waterborne diseases and reducing exposure to harmful contaminants. This directly supports SDG 3, which seeks to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• The provision of reliable and safe drinking water is a critical component of urban infrastructure and a basic service necessary for a sustainable community. The article highlights the “continued investment in water infrastructure” and the city’s commitment to creating “a community where everyone can enjoy life and feel at home.” This connects to SDG 11, which focuses on making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

Targets for SDG 6

1. Target 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all. The article demonstrates progress towards this target by highlighting that the Clinton Plant works “around the clock to ensure that every drop of water reaching Lawrence residents is clean, safe, and great-tasting.” The award itself is recognition of achieving a high standard of safe drinking water for the community.

Targets for SDG 3

1. Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination. The article implies achievement in this area by noting a key qualification for the award: “water systems must have no state or federal drinking water violations in the previous year.” This compliance directly prevents illnesses related to water contamination and contributes to protecting “community health.”

Targets for SDG 11

1. Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums. Safe drinking water is a fundamental basic service. The article showcases the City of Lawrence’s success in providing a high-quality basic service to its residents, which is a cornerstone of a sustainable and adequate living environment.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

Indicators for Target 6.1

• The article provides a clear, measurable indicator used to assess water safety: the absence of state or federal drinking water violations over the previous year. This is a direct measure of the water utility’s performance against established safety standards and serves as a proxy for the official indicator of “safely managed drinking water services.”

Indicators for Target 3.9

• While the article does not mention specific health statistics, it implies a positive health outcome through the same indicator: compliance with all state and federal drinking water regulations. This lack of violations indicates that the water is free from contaminants that could cause illness, thereby serving as a preventative measure and an indicator of progress toward reducing water-related health issues.

Indicators for Target 11.1

• The article points to a qualitative indicator of the quality of basic services: winning the “Best Tasting Tap Water in Kansas” award. This award signifies a level of service that exceeds basic safety requirements and demonstrates a commitment to excellence in providing essential municipal services to the community.

Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: lawrenceks.org