NH’s coastal communities are trying to protect drinking water access from climate change

Sustainable Development Goals and Sea-Level Rise on New Hampshire’s Coast

In 2019, approximately 100 homes in a Newmarket neighborhood switched their water supply from private wells to public water. This decision was based on a modeling study that revealed increasing saltwater levels in the wells over time, making the water unsafe to drink. This scenario could become more common in Seacoast neighborhoods and communities as sea levels continue to rise due to climate change.

SDG Focus: Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)

How Groundwater Rise Affects Water Sources

Groundwater rise poses more significant infrastructure disruptions than surface flooding in coastal areas. Saltwater intrusion, where saltwater enters drinking water wells or aquifers from below, is more likely to occur closer to the coast. Wells drilled deep into bedrock are especially vulnerable to saltwater intrusion due to the density difference between saltwater and freshwater. Additionally, septic systems can fail if they become submerged in water, as they require a distance between the system and the groundwater for proper treatment.

SDG Focus: Sustainable Development Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

Limited Freshwater Resources

Coastal areas in New Hampshire face challenges in accessing freshwater bodies compared to regions with large lakes or rivers. This lack of access has caused issues for communities like Hampton and Seabrook in the past. To address this, communities need to develop multiple smaller water supply sources and diversify their options to ensure a continuous water supply in case of any impacts on individual sources. With population growth expected in the Seacoast region, communities must sustain their drinking water supplies and explore new sources.

How Can Drinking Water Infrastructure Weather These Changes?

Several Seacoast towns, including Newmarket and Durham, have conducted studies to assess the vulnerabilities of their drinking water sources. These studies recommend taking inventory of water asset data, such as structure age and depth, to inform future planning. Predictions of sea level rise over the next 25 and 75 years help determine the frequency of maintenance required to withstand these changes. Long-term thinking is crucial when implementing infrastructure to ensure resilience against future challenges.

What’s Emerging in Work Related to This Issue?

Environmental engineers Jayne Knott and Jennifer Jacobs are collaborating with the state’s environmental agency to conduct an updated coastal risk assessment for New Hampshire’s coastal communities. This assessment will include inland communities like Dover, Madbury, Rollinsford, Exeter, and Newcastle to evaluate their vulnerability to groundwater rise and other coastal proximity-related risks. Knott and Jacobs are also working on a detailed modeling study for Portsmouth’s infrastructure.

SDG Focus: Sustainable Development Goal 13 (Climate Action)

Following the vulnerability assessment, Knott and Jacobs plan to install ten wells near the coast in Portsmouth to monitor groundwater rise and salinity increases over time. Additionally, efforts are underway to improve drinking water resiliency through water system interconnections. The Seacoast Commission on Long Term Goals and Requirements for Drinking Water is studying how existing connections can be enhanced. Emergency water interconnections between towns like Portsmouth and Dover are being pursued, ensuring access to water during emergencies.

SDG Focus: Sustainable Development Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)

Seacoast communities are working together to address potential water supply deficits and ensure mutual support during crises. The goal is to explore regional cooperation and manage water resources holistically to meet future demands.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

   • Target 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
   • Target 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping, and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials.
   • Target 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity.
   • Indicator 6.1.1: Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services.
   • Indicator 6.3.2: Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality.
   • Indicator 6.4.1: Change in water-use efficiency over time.

2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations.
   • Indicator 11.5.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.

3. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
   • Indicator 13.1.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Analysis

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

The SDGs that are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article are SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, and SDG 13: Climate Action.

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

Based on the article’s content, the specific targets under the identified SDGs are:

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

– Target 6.3: Improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping, and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials.

– Target 6.4: Increase water-use efficiency and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity.

– Target 11.5: Reduce the number of deaths, affected people, and economic losses caused by water-related disasters.

– Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.

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

Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These indicators include:

– Indicator 6.1.1: Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services.

– Indicator 6.3.2: Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality.

– Indicator 6.4.1: Change in water-use efficiency over time.

– Indicator 11.5.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.

– Indicator 13.1.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.

These indicators can be used to measure the progress in achieving universal access to safe drinking water, improving water quality, increasing water-use efficiency, reducing the impact of water-related disasters, and strengthening resilience to climate-related hazards.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators