NOTEBOOK FEATURE: CV-SALTS Progress Report: Addressing nitrate and salt contamination in the Central Valley – Maven’s Notebook

Progress Report: Central Valley Salinity Alternatives for Long-Term Sustainability (CV-SALTS)

This report outlines the progress of the Central Valley Salinity Alternatives for Long-Term Sustainability (CV-SALTS) program, a multi-stakeholder initiative launched in 2006. The program directly addresses several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), primarily focusing on SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) by tackling nitrate and salt contamination in the Central Valley’s water resources. Through collaborative efforts aligning with SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), the program aims to ensure access to safe drinking water, support a sustainable agricultural economy (SDG 2: Zero Hunger), and protect vital ecosystems (SDG 15: Life on Land).

Salt Control Program: Safeguarding Water for Food Security and Ecosystems

Increasing salinity in the Central Valley poses a significant threat to regional sustainability, directly impacting SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by reducing crop yields and rendering agricultural land unusable. The economic impact is substantial, with projections exceeding $3 billion annually if unaddressed. The Salt Control Program was established to manage this long-term challenge, protecting water quality for agriculture, drinking water (SDG 6), and ecosystems (SDG 15).

Program Implementation Phases

1. Phase One: Prioritization & Optimization (P&O) Study. This initial phase focuses on identifying salt-sensitive areas, evaluating contamination sources, and developing long-term management strategies. A key outcome is a comprehensive salinity management plan.
2. Phase Two: Project Development. Guided by the P&O study, this phase will involve engineering design, environmental permitting, and necessary regulatory actions to establish future salt management areas.
3. Phase Three: Project Implementation. This final phase will focus on the construction and execution of selected physical projects to manage and reduce salinity.

Key Findings and Projections

• Archetype Analysis: Studies in the Delta Mendota and Kings Subbasins revealed that groundwater-dependent areas are at higher risk for future salinity issues, while areas with more surface water access are less vulnerable.
• Valley-Wide Targets: Modeling based on GSA-scale data indicates that while current conditions are generally acceptable, significant problem areas will emerge in 50 to 100 years without intervention. This data-driven approach is crucial for prioritizing projects to protect future water uses, in line with the long-term objectives of SDG 6.
• Technology Evaluation: A technical study is underway to assess cost-effective and implementable salinity treatment technologies, including brine disposal solutions, to guide future project selection.

Nitrate Control Program: Ensuring Health and Well-being

Elevated nitrate levels in groundwater, primarily from agricultural and municipal sources, present a direct health risk, undermining SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). The Nitrate Control Program is designed to provide immediate access to safe drinking water for affected residents while implementing long-term solutions.

Compliance and Management Zones

Dischargers have two compliance pathways:

• Traditional Permitting: Adherence to standard regulatory requirements for nitrate discharge.
• Management Zone Approach: A collaborative framework under SDG 17 where multiple dischargers in a geographic area work together. This approach provides flexibility for achieving nitrate reduction goals while ensuring residents are immediately provided with safe replacement water.

Implementation Progress

• Priority 1 Areas: Implementation began in 2021. Management Zone Implementation Plans (MZIPs) were deemed complete in November 2023, and the Central Valley Water Board is now developing enforceable permit requirements.
• Priority 2 Areas: Program implementation commenced in December 2023, with Early Action Plans approved and drinking water programs initiated.

Management Zone Implementation: Delivering on SDG 6

The management zones are the primary vehicle for delivering immediate, tangible benefits to communities, directly advancing SDG 6 and contributing to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by ensuring access to essential services.

Key Achievements and Metrics

• Safe Water Provision: As of September 2023, nearly 2,200 households are receiving free bottled water, and seven community water fill stations are operational. Almost 4 million gallons of safe water have been delivered.
• Well Testing: In the Kings Subbasin, 1,300 wells were tested, with 41% exceeding safe nitrate levels. Over 800 locations now receive replacement water.
• Community Outreach: Extensive outreach efforts engage local governments, health clinics, schools, and community organizations to reach vulnerable populations, a critical component of equitable implementation.
• Workforce Development: The “Ripple Effect Initiative,” funded by a $300,000 grant, focuses on building a local water workforce to support long-term sustainable water management.

Challenges and Perspectives

While progress is significant, environmental justice organizations highlight that many households still lack safe drinking water. The State Water Board’s aquifer risk map shows an estimated 13,000 impacted domestic wells in Priority 1 zones alone. There is a recognized need to adapt outreach strategies to overcome barriers such as fear and mistrust within vulnerable communities to ensure the program reaches its full potential in achieving SDG 6 for all residents.

Compliance, Enforcement, and Long-Term Restoration

Effective regulation and a clear path toward restoration are essential for the program’s long-term success and the sustainable achievement of its SDG-related goals.

Compliance Status

• Salt Control Program: Approximately 11% of permittees are noncompliant.
• Nitrate Control Program: Approximately 14% of permittees are noncompliant.

Enforcement actions are being prioritized to address non-compliance, particularly among confined animal facilities and non-15 program dischargers.

The Path to Restoration

The ultimate goal of the CV-SALTS program is the full restoration of water basins to meet quality objectives, fulfilling the core promise of SDG 6. This requires a dual focus:

1. Controlling Ongoing Discharges: Management zones must implement measures to ensure their ongoing activities no longer contribute to nitrate contamination.
2. Restoring Basin Quality: Long-term plans for basin restoration are required. Stakeholders are calling for more detailed plans, including specific projects, timelines, and budgets, to move from interim water provision to permanent solutions.

The approval process for Management Zone Implementation Plans (MZIPs) will incorporate enforceable requirements and milestones for both nitrate reduction and drinking water provision. The duration of compliance exceptions—ranging from 10 to 35 years—is under review to ensure schedules are as short as practicable to accelerate progress toward a future where all communities in the San Joaquin Valley have access to safe, clean, and affordable drinking water.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

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

1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • The article’s primary focus is on addressing nitrate and salt contamination in groundwater to improve water quality and ensure access to safe drinking water for communities in California’s Central Valley.
2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • The article discusses how excessive salt levels reduce crop yields and have led to hundreds of thousands of acres of agricultural land being removed from production, directly impacting food production and the agricultural economy.
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The text explicitly mentions the significant health risks posed by high levels of nitrate in drinking water, which the Nitrate Control Program aims to mitigate.
4. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • The program aims to support the San Joaquin Valley’s agricultural economy by addressing salinity, which, if unmanaged, could have an economic impact exceeding $3 billion annually.
5. SDG 15: Life on Land
   • The article states that excessive salt levels can harm ecosystems, and a goal of the Salt Control Program is to protect the environment and beneficial uses of water.
6. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The CV-SALTS program is described as a “collaborative initiative” that brings together a diverse group of stakeholders, including government regulators, agricultural and industrial dischargers, municipal agencies, and environmental organizations, to develop and implement solutions.

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

• 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 Nitrate Control Program directly addresses this by providing “immediate access to safe drinking water” through free bottled water and community fill stations for residents with contaminated wells.
  • Target 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution… and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials.
    • The entire CV-SALTS initiative is designed to manage and reduce nitrate and salt contamination from agricultural, industrial, and municipal sources to improve the quality of groundwater and surface waters.
  • Target 6.5: By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels.
    • The program’s structure, which establishes “management zones” where multiple dischargers work together and coordinate with Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs), exemplifies an integrated approach to water management.

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger

  • Target 2.4: By 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices… that progressively improve land and soil quality.
    • The Salt Control Program aims to manage salt accumulation to protect crop yields and restore the productivity of 1.5 million acres of salinity-impaired land, which is essential for sustainable agriculture in the region.

• 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.
    • The article highlights that “high levels of nitrate in drinking water can pose health risks.” The program’s efforts to provide safe water and reduce nitrate contamination directly contribute to reducing illnesses from water pollution.

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 (Safe Drinking Water)

  • Number of households receiving replacement water: The article states that “nearly 2,200 households are receiving free bottled water.”
  • Volume of safe water delivered: The management zones have delivered “almost 4 million gallons of water to households.”
  • Number of wells tested: Data is provided on the number of wells tested in specific subbasins (e.g., “KWA has tested 1,300 wells in the Kings Subbasin”).
  • Proportion of wells exceeding safety standards: The article notes that 41% of tested wells in the Kings Subbasin and 10% in the Tulare Lake Subbasin exceeded safe nitrate levels.

• Indicators for Target 6.3 (Improve Water Quality)

  • Concentration of pollutants: The core issue is the level of “nitrate and salt contamination in groundwater and wells,” which is monitored and modeled.
  • Water quality targets: The program is developing “salinity planning targets for the Central Valley” to guide management actions.
  • Future projections: Progress is assessed by modeling applied water quality for “current conditions, 50 years, and 100 years” to identify problem areas.

• Indicators for Target 2.4 (Sustainable Agriculture)

  • Area of land affected by salinity: The article provides baseline data: “250,000 acres have been removed from production, and 1.5 million acres are classified as salinity-impaired.” Progress would be measured by a reduction in these numbers.
  • Economic impact on agriculture: The potential “economic impact of salinity on the Central Valley could exceed $3 billion annually,” serving as a metric for the cost of inaction.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: mavensnotebook.com