Report on Water Management and Watershed Protection in Neskowin, Oregon

Introduction: Aligning Local Action with Global Sustainable Development Goals

The Neskowin Regional Water District in Oregon provides a compelling case study in the evolution of water management, transitioning from a reactive response to a public health crisis to a proactive, long-term strategy for resource protection. This approach directly aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The district’s efforts to secure its water source through watershed acquisition and restoration serve as a model for building resilient communities.

Historical Context and Advancement of Public Health (SDG 3 & SDG 6)

The 1978 Public Health Crisis

In the summer of 1978, a gastrointestinal outbreak affected approximately 170 residents of Neskowin. The crisis was attributed to contaminated water from a fragmented system of private water sources. This event underscored the critical link between water quality and public health, highlighting the necessity for infrastructure that supports SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).

Establishment of a Unified Public Water System

The 1978 outbreak, combined with the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, prompted a lawsuit by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This led to the consolidation of disparate private water systems into the singular Neskowin Regional Water District. This institutional reform was a foundational step toward ensuring universal access to safe and affordable drinking water, a primary target of SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

The current water treatment process further supports these goals through a multi-step system:

• Screening of raw water from Hawk Creek to remove large debris.
• Filtration to remove bacteria and other pathogens.
• Chlorination to disinfect the water and prevent the spread of disease.
• pH balancing to prevent the leaching of lead from pipes and infrastructure.

A Proactive Strategy for Watershed Protection (SDG 13, SDG 15, SDG 17)

Addressing 21st Century Pressures

The Neskowin water supply faces increasing threats from modern environmental and developmental pressures. The district’s strategy to purchase and protect its entire watershed is a direct response to these challenges, which include:

• Climate change impacts, such as drought.
• Development and conversion of forest land.
• Increased tourism and recreational use of the watershed.

By securing the watershed, the community is implementing a crucial climate adaptation measure, directly contributing to SDG 13 (Climate Action).

The Source Water Protection Initiative and Ecosystem Restoration

The district is actively working to acquire its 1,500-acre watershed. A key goal is to restore purchased timberland to a state resembling an old-growth forest. This nature-based solution enhances the ecosystem’s natural ability to filter and provide clean water, which is more cost-effective than constructing expensive treatment facilities. This initiative is a clear implementation of SDG 15 (Life on Land), which calls for the protection, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.

The Power of Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships (SDG 17)

The success of this initiative relies on effective collaboration between various entities, demonstrating the importance of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). Key partners include:

1. The Neskowin Regional Water District: Leading the long-term vision for water security.
2. The State of Oregon: Providing critical funding through the new Drinking Water Source Protection Grant Program.
3. Sustainable Northwest: A non-profit organization offering expertise and support.
4. Local Landowners: Families like the Kowalskis, who have donated or agreed to sell key parcels of land for conservation, showcasing strong community engagement.

Long-Term Vision for a Sustainable Community (SDG 11)

Building Community Resilience

The district’s plan is a long-term commitment, with estimates suggesting it could take a century to fully secure the watershed. This forward-thinking approach is designed to guarantee a safe and reliable water source for future generations. By proactively managing its natural resources and mitigating future risks, Neskowin is building a more resilient and sustainable community, directly aligning with the objectives of SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). This initiative serves as a replicable model for other small towns in Oregon and beyond that face similar water security challenges.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

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

The article discusses issues related to public health, water management, ecosystem protection, and community resilience, which connect to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The following SDGs are addressed:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article begins by describing a public health crisis in 1978 where 170 people fell ill from a gastrointestinal bug due to contaminated water. The subsequent efforts to create a safe water supply directly relate to ensuring healthy lives.
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: This is the central theme of the article. It details the town of Neskowin’s journey from unsafe, private water sources to establishing a public water district that provides treated, safe drinking water. It also covers the modern challenges of protecting the water source.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The story focuses on a small community’s efforts to build resilient infrastructure (a reliable water system) and sustainably manage its natural resources (the watershed) to ensure a safe and sustainable future for its residents.
• SDG 13: Climate Action: The article explicitly mentions that Neskowin’s drinking water is “under increasing pressure due to climate change” and drought. The town’s strategy to protect its watershed is a direct climate adaptation measure to strengthen resilience.
• SDG 15: Life on Land: A key strategy discussed is the purchase and restoration of the forest watershed. The plan to “gradually turn the land back into something resembling an old growth forest” is a direct action to protect and restore terrestrial ecosystems for their water-filtering services.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The success of Neskowin’s efforts relies on multiple partnerships. This includes collaboration between the local water district, state government (the Oregon Legislature’s grant program), federal agencies (EPA, U.S. Forest Service), non-profits (Sustainable Northwest), and private citizens (the Kowalski family donating and selling land).

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

Based on the actions and issues described, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

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’s opening account of the 1978 gastrointestinal outbreak highlights the danger of contaminated water. The creation of the Neskowin Regional Water District and its treatment processes (filtration, chlorination) are direct measures to prevent such illnesses.
2. Target 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
   • The transition from disparate, unsafe private water systems to a single public water district that provides treated water to the town of Neskowin is a clear example of working towards this target at a local level.
3. Target 6.6: By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes.
   • The core of the article’s modern focus is Neskowin’s effort to buy and protect its entire 1,500-acre watershed. The donation of a 51-acre parcel and the plan to purchase another 121 acres to restore them to an old-growth forest directly align with this target.
4. Target 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected… by disasters, including water-related disasters…
   • The proactive measures to secure the water source against threats like climate change, drought, and contamination are aimed at preventing future water-related crises, thereby making the community more resilient.
5. Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
   • The article identifies climate change and drought as pressures on the water supply. Protecting the watershed is presented as a key strategy to adapt to these climate-related hazards and ensure a stable water source for the future.
6. Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests…
   • The water district’s plan to acquire timberland and convert it from a monoculture into a diverse, old-growth forest is a direct effort to restore a forest ecosystem for its natural water purification and regulation services.
7. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships…
   • The article details the collaboration between the public water district, the state-funded grant program, federal agencies providing matching grants, the non-profit Sustainable Northwest, and private landowners, showcasing a multi-stakeholder partnership model.

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

Yes, the article contains several explicit and implied indicators that can measure progress:

• Indicator for Target 3.9: The number of people affected by waterborne disease. The article provides a baseline from 1978 (“about 170 people were struck with a gastrointestinal bug”). The continued absence of such outbreaks serves as an indicator of success.
• Indicator for Target 6.1: The proportion of the population using a safely managed drinking water service. The establishment and operation of the Neskowin Regional Water District, which provides treated water to the town, indicates progress towards universal access for that community.
• Indicator for Target 6.6 & 15.1: The extent of protected water-related ecosystems. The article provides quantifiable data: a 51-acre parcel has been protected, and the district is working to buy three more parcels totaling 121 acres. Progress can be measured by the total acreage of the 1,500-acre watershed that is acquired and placed under protection.
• Indicator for Target 17.17: The amount of financial resources committed to partnerships. The article mentions a “$5 million” state grant program (the Drinking Water Source Protection Grant Program) that Neskowin and five other towns will split to leverage matching federal funds. This dollar amount is a specific indicator of financial commitment to these public-private/civil society partnerships.
• Indicator for Target 13.1: The implementation of local climate change adaptation strategies. The town’s formal plan and actions to purchase and restore its watershed serve as a tangible indicator of an implemented adaptation strategy to combat threats like drought.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: opb.org