Report on Coastal Water Quality and Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Executive Summary of Water Quality Status

An assessment by the County Department of Environmental Health and Quality (DEHQ) reveals a mixed status of coastal water quality. While some areas have shown improvement meeting state health standards, significant contamination persists in others, posing risks to public health and the environment. This situation directly relates to several key United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning health, water quality, and sustainable communities.

2.0 Beach Status Overview

The following is a summary of the current status of regional beaches based on recent water quality sample testing.

• Areas Reopened: Water quality has improved, meeting state health standards.
  1. Coronado Avenida Lunar
  2. Imperial Beach Pier
  3. Carnation
• Areas Under Advisory: Water contact is discouraged due to excessive bacteria levels.
  1. Charthouse Parking Lot
  2. Del Mar San Dieguito River Outlet
  3. La Jolla Cove Beachline
  4. La Jolla Children’s Pool
  5. Mission Bay North Cove Vacation Isle
  6. Ocean Beach Dog Beach
  7. San Elijo Lagoon Outlet
• Areas Closed: Water contact is prohibited due to sewage impact and excessive bacteria. These areas will remain closed until sampling confirms they are safe.
  1. Imperial Beach Seacoast and Cortez
  2. Tijuana Slough Shoreline
  3. Silver Strand Shoreline

3.0 Implications for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The current water quality crisis highlights significant challenges in achieving critical SDGs.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The DEHQ’s advisory to “avoid water contact as the water is impacted by sewage and may cause illness” underscores the immediate threat to public health. The closures and advisories are necessary public health interventions to prevent waterborne diseases and protect community well-being.
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: The presence of sewage and excessive bacteria in coastal waters indicates a failure in sanitation infrastructure and water management systems. This directly contravenes the objective of SDG 6, which aims to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
• SDG 14: Life Below Water: Sewage contamination introduces pollutants and pathogens that degrade marine ecosystems, harm aquatic life, and disrupt the coastal environment. This undermines efforts to conserve and sustainably use the oceans and marine resources as outlined in SDG 14.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The closure of beaches impacts the social and economic fabric of coastal communities, affecting recreation, tourism, and the overall quality of life for residents. Ensuring safe and clean recreational areas is a key component of creating sustainable and resilient cities.

4.0 Public Guidance and Information Channels

The public is advised to adhere to all posted warnings. Official updates on beach advisories and closures are available through the following channels:

• Website: www.sdbeachinfo.com
• 24-Hour Hotline: 619-338-2073

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

The article discusses issues of water pollution, public health, and environmental management in coastal areas, which directly connect to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
• SDG 14: Life Below Water

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

Based on the specific problems mentioned, the following targets are relevant:

1. 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.
     
     Explanation: The article explicitly states that the public is “advised to avoid water contact as the water is impacted by sewage and may cause illness.” This directly addresses the health risks associated with water pollution, which Target 3.9 aims to reduce.

2. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

   • Target 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally.
     
     Explanation: The core issue is poor water quality due to “excessive bacteria levels” and “sewage.” The closure of beaches until “sampling confirms these areas are safe” highlights the effort to manage and improve water quality by addressing pollution from untreated wastewater, which is central to Target 6.3.

3. SDG 14: Life Below Water

   • Target 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution.
     
     Explanation: The contamination of coastal and beach areas by sewage is a clear example of marine pollution from land-based activities. The article’s focus on the Tijuana Slough Shoreline and other coastal areas being impacted by sewage directly relates to the goal of reducing this type of pollution as outlined in Target 14.1.

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

The article implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress:

1. For Target 3.9:

   • Implied Indicator: Number and duration of public health advisories for water contact.
     
     Explanation: The article mentions that an “advisory remains in effect” for several locations. A reduction in the frequency and length of these advisories would indicate a decrease in health risks from water contamination.

2. For Target 6.3:

   • Implied Indicator: Proportion of coastal water bodies meeting state health standards.
     
     Explanation: The article states that some beaches opened because “recent water quality samples (met) state health standards,” while others are closed due to “excessive bacteria levels.” This directly corresponds to Indicator 6.3.2 (Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality). The pass/fail status of the water samples serves as a direct measure.

3. For Target 14.1:

   • Implied Indicator: Number of beach closures due to land-based pollution (sewage).
     
     Explanation: The article lists specific beaches that are “closed” due to sewage impact. Tracking the number of closed beaches and the duration of these closures provides a direct measure of the extent of marine pollution from land-based sources. The reopening of beaches like “Coronado Avenida Lunar” signifies progress.

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

Source: kpbs.org