Project Report: Securing Clean Water in Apple Valley, Utah Through Sustainable Infrastructure Development

Executive Summary

A collaborative infrastructure project in Apple Valley, Utah, has successfully addressed a long-standing water contamination crisis, aligning with several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The completion of a $3.4 million pipeline provides safe, reliable drinking water to the Cedar Point subdivision, formerly plagued by poor water quality. This initiative serves as a model for achieving SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through targeted, multi-agency action.

Addressing a Public Health and Sanitation Crisis in Alignment with SDG 3 and SDG 6

Initial State of Water Infrastructure

The Cedar Point subdivision’s water system was failing to meet fundamental standards for health and safety, directly contravening the objectives of SDG 3 and SDG 6. The community faced significant challenges, including:

• Poor Water Quality: The local aquifer was of extremely poor quality and limited capacity.
• Harmful Contaminants: In 2024, water tests confirmed the presence of radium and other dangerous contaminants, posing a direct threat to public health (a critical concern under SDG Target 3.9).
• Failing Infrastructure: Aging storage tanks were compromised by iron algae and sediment, leading to discolored, odorous water and, at times, a complete loss of service.

This situation represented a critical failure to provide access to safe and affordable drinking water, a primary target (6.1) of SDG 6.

A Model for SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Inter-Agency Collaboration and Funding

The rapid and successful resolution of the crisis was a direct result of effective multi-stakeholder partnerships, a cornerstone of SDG 17. The project’s success demonstrates how collaboration can accelerate progress on sustainable development.

1. Declaration of Emergency: Local leadership, under Mayor Mike Farrar, declared an emergency, prioritizing the issue and mobilizing resources.
2. Formation of a Partnership: A strategic collaboration was formed between municipal, county, and state entities.
   • The Town of Apple Valley
   • The Washington County Water Conservancy District
   • The Utah Division of Drinking Water
   • The Utah Governor’s Office
3. Securing Funding: The partnership successfully secured funding, largely from federal sources, to fast-track the project.

Michael Grange of the Utah Division of Drinking Water noted that the project’s speed and success exemplify how inter-agency cooperation can yield tangible community benefits, fulfilling the spirit of SDG 17.

Achieving Sustainable Development Through Resilient Infrastructure (SDG 9 & SDG 11)

Project Implementation and Outcomes

The construction of five and a half miles of pipeline created resilient infrastructure (SDG 9) and enhanced the sustainability of the community (SDG 11). The project was completed in under one year, significantly ahead of the initial three-to-five-year estimate, and came in under budget.

Key Project Achievements

• Immediate Improvement in Water Quality: Upon connection to the town’s clean east-side aquifer, residents experienced an instant and dramatic improvement in water quality, achieving SDG Target 6.1 (access to safe water) and Target 6.3 (improving water quality by reducing pollution).
• Cost-Effective Innovation: By routing the pipeline through town, private, and STILA-owned land, the project avoided more stringent and costly requirements associated with UDOT-managed roads, saving an estimated $2 million.
• Supporting Sustainable Growth: The new water supply from the east-side aquifer has sufficient capacity to support planned and approved growth, contributing to the development of a sustainable and resilient community as outlined in SDG 11.
• Framework for Future Development: A new policy requires any future, unapproved developments to independently secure and fund their own clean water access, ensuring that growth does not strain public resources and remains sustainable.

The project is pending a final state water test to officially lift the drinking water advisory, with preliminary town tests already confirming the water is within state guidelines.

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

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

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

Targets under SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

• Target 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all. The article directly addresses this by describing how the Cedar Point subdivision, which was “plagued by murky, contaminated water,” now has access to a “clean, reliable aquifer.” The mayor’s statement that “Clean drinking water is a right” reinforces the focus on achieving universal access for the community.
• Target 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution… and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials. The article states the previous water source “tested positive for radium and other harmful contaminants.” The new pipeline project explicitly improves water quality by replacing this contaminated source with a clean one, thereby eliminating the residents’ exposure to hazardous substances.
• Target 6.b: Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management. The article highlights the central role of local leadership, specifically Mayor Mike Farrar, who “made the issue his top priority” and acted as a “squeaky wheel” to drive the project forward, demonstrating active community participation in resolving their own water management issues.

Targets under SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination. By eliminating water contaminated with “radium and other harmful contaminants,” the project directly reduces the health risks and potential for illnesses associated with exposure to hazardous chemicals through drinking water for the residents of Apple Valley.

Targets under SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services. The provision of reliable, clean running water is a fundamental basic service. The article explains that previously, “residents were left without running water altogether” at times. The new pipeline ensures this basic service is now available to the Cedar Point subdivision, making the community more sustainable and habitable.

Targets under SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships. The project’s success is explicitly attributed to a “collaboration with the Utah Division of Drinking Water, the Washington County Water Conservancy District, and the governor’s office.” This multi-agency public partnership is presented as a model, with one official noting it “serve[s] as an example of how inter-agency cooperation can benefit a community.”

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

Indicators for Target 6.1 (Access to Safe Drinking Water)

• Population with access to safely managed drinking water: The article implies a change from 0% to 100% of the Cedar Point subdivision’s population having access. The project’s completion means residents “are able to turn on their taps with confidence for the first time in years.”
• Water quality testing results: Progress is measured by official tests. The article mentions the town has done its “own test via a water sampling station… which showed the water was within state guidelines” and the next step is an “official state water test in order to lift the drinking advisory.” These tests serve as direct indicators of water safety.

Indicators for Target 6.3 (Improved Water Quality)

• Presence of contaminants: The initial state was indicated by water that “tested positive for radium and other harmful contaminants.” The new state is indicated by water from a “clean, reliable aquifer.” The reduction or elimination of these specific contaminants is a key indicator of progress.
• Sensory characteristics of water: The article provides qualitative indicators of improvement. The water is “no longer brown or stinky,” which is a direct, observable measure of improved water quality for residents.

Indicators for Target 11.1 (Access to Basic Services)

• Continuity of water supply: The article notes that previously, “residents were left without running water altogether” at times. The new pipeline provides a reliable connection, implying a shift to a continuous, uninterrupted water supply, which is a measure of the adequacy of this basic service.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

Source: kjzz.com