News Digest: DSRSD lauded for water reuse efforts | Dublin projects earn contractors awards | New online resources via Livermore Library – Pleasanton Weekly

Report on Regional Initiatives and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

DSRSD Water Management Program: A Model for SDG 6, SDG 11, and SDG 12

The Dublin San Ramon Services District (DSRSD) has received national recognition as a 2025 “Utility of the Future Today” for its significant contributions to sustainable water management. This award, presented by the Water Environment Federation and other national partners, highlights the district’s alignment with several key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

• SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): For three decades, DSRSD has been a leader in water recycling. Its program is instrumental in ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water for the community.
• SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): The recycled water program currently supplies up to 25% of the total water used within the service area, demonstrating a commitment to sustainable consumption patterns and efficient use of natural resources.
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): By providing a reliable and sustainable local water source, DSRSD enhances the resilience and sustainability of the urban community it serves.
• SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): DSRSD General Manager Jan Lee noted, “This award recognizes decades of collaboration and innovation,” underscoring the importance of local and regional partnerships in achieving sustainability goals.

Infrastructure Projects Recognized for Contributions to SDG 9 and SDG 11

The National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), Northern California Chapter, has honored several Bay Area electrical contractors through its Project Excellence Awards program. The recognized projects contribute to the development of resilient and sustainable infrastructure, in line with multiple SDGs.

1. Bockmon & Woody Electric Co., Inc. – DSRSD Water Pump Stations Standby Generators Project: This project enhances the reliability of critical water infrastructure, directly supporting SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and reinforcing the water security goals of SDG 6.
2. Columbia Electric, Inc. – Emerald High School Improvements: The first phase of offsite improvements contributes to building inclusive and quality infrastructure for education, a key target of SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 9.
3. Columbia Electric, Inc. – Iron Horse Regional Trail Bridge: This project supports the development of safe and accessible public spaces and sustainable transport systems, aligning with the objectives of SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

Public Library Enhances Digital Access, Supporting SDG 4 and SDG 10

The Livermore Public Library has expanded its digital offerings, providing patrons with free access to new and upgraded resources. This initiative directly supports the global goals of promoting education and reducing inequality.

• SDG 4 (Quality Education): The library now provides access to O’Reilly, a service with thousands of technology and business resources, promoting lifelong learning and the acquisition of technical skills. Unlimited access to the New York Times and the PressReader platform also supports continuous learning and knowledge acquisition.
• SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): By offering these premium digital resources at no cost, the library ensures equitable access to information and educational materials for all members of the community, helping to reduce the digital divide.
• SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions): Public libraries serve as vital institutions that guarantee public access to information, which is fundamental for building inclusive and informed societies.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

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

The article highlights issues and initiatives that connect to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on sustainable water management, resilient infrastructure, education, and access to information.

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: This is addressed through the Dublin San Ramon Services District’s (DSRSD) water recycling program, which is recognized for its innovation in water reuse and sustainability.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The article mentions the “DSRSD Water Pump Stations Standby Generators / Emergency Response Project,” which focuses on creating resilient and reliable infrastructure.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The efforts to ensure water reliability through recycling and emergency preparedness for water infrastructure contribute to making the community more sustainable and resilient.
• SDG 4: Quality Education: The Livermore Public Library’s initiative to provide free access to learning resources like O’Reilly supports lifelong learning opportunities and the acquisition of technical skills.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions: The library’s role in providing free public access to information, news, and diverse media through platforms like the New York Times and PressReader aligns with this goal.

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

Based on the initiatives described, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by… substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally.
   • Explanation: The article explicitly states that DSRSD “has been a leader in recycling water for three decades” and is recognized for “innovation in water reuse.” This directly relates to the target of increasing water recycling.
2. Target 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency… and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity.
   • Explanation: The DSRSD’s program provides a “reliable and sustainable local source” of water, which contributes to overall water-use efficiency and ensures a stable supply, reducing reliance on traditional freshwater sources.
3. Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… to support economic development and human well-being.
   • Explanation: The award given for the “DSRSD Water Pump Stations Standby Generators / Emergency Response Project” highlights an effort to make critical water infrastructure more resilient to emergencies, ensuring its reliability.
4. Target 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce… direct economic losses… caused by disasters, including water-related disasters.
   • Explanation: By installing standby generators, the water utility infrastructure is better protected against power failures during disasters, ensuring continuous operation and minimizing service disruption and potential losses.
5. Target 4.4: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.
   • Explanation: The library offering free access to O’Reilly, a service providing “thousands of expert technology and business books, videos, and learning resources,” directly facilitates the acquisition of these relevant technical skills.
6. Target 16.10: Ensure public access to information…
   • Explanation: The Livermore Public Library’s initiative to grant patrons “unlimited access to news articles” from the New York Times and a wide range of magazines and newspapers through PressReader is a direct implementation of ensuring public access to information.

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

The article provides several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Indicator for Target 6.3: The article states that DSRSD’s recycled water program “currently supplies up to 25% of ‘total water used within its service area'”. This percentage serves as a direct, quantitative indicator of the level of water recycling and reuse in the community.
• Indicator for Target 9.1: The completion and recognition of the “DSRSD Water Pump Stations Standby Generators / Emergency Response Project” serves as a qualitative indicator of progress in developing resilient infrastructure.
• Indicator for Target 4.4: The provision of free access to the O’Reilly learning platform is an indicator of the availability of resources for skill development. The number of library patrons who use this service could be a quantitative measure of its impact.
• Indicator for Target 16.10: The implementation of policies by the Livermore Public Library to provide free, upgraded subscriptions to the New York Times and PressReader is a clear indicator of an institution actively working to ensure public access to information.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Summary

Source: pleasantonweekly.com