Soil, groundwater cleanup under way around old police station

Soil, groundwater cleanup under way around old police station  The Hastings Tribune

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Aug 17, 2024 - 22:00
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Soil, groundwater cleanup under way around old police station

Soil, groundwater cleanup under way around old police station

Network of Thermal Wells Cleans Contaminated Site

Introduction

After nearly a year of construction activity, a network of new thermal wells has begun to clean contaminated soil and groundwater on the site of the former Hastings police station at Second Street and Minnesota Avenue.

Since September 2023, a total of 266 thermal wells and borings have been installed on the property, which was the site of a coal gasification plant from 1894 to 1931 and has been found to be contaminated with several soil and groundwater pollutants.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
  2. Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
  3. Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
  4. Goal 13: Climate Action
  5. Goal 15: Life on Land

Thermal Wells for Soil and Groundwater Remediation

  • 266 thermal wells and borings have been installed on the former Hastings police station site.
  • The site was contaminated with several soil and groundwater pollutants.
  • The thermal wells are being used to clean the contaminated soil and groundwater.
  • This remediation effort aligns with SDG 3, SDG 6, SDG 11, SDG 13, and SDG 15.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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

  • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
  • SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
  • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
  • SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
  • SDG 15: Life on Land

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

  • SDG 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination.
  • SDG 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping, and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials.
  • SDG 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
  • SDG 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water, and soil to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment.
  • SDG 15.9: By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies, and accounts.

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 mentions the installation of 266 thermal wells and borings to clean contaminated soil and groundwater. This can be considered as an indicator of progress towards reducing soil and groundwater pollution (SDG 3.9, SDG 6.3) and achieving environmentally sound management of chemicals and wastes (SDG 12.4).

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs Targets Indicators
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and soil pollution and contamination. Installation of thermal wells and borings to clean contaminated soil and groundwater.
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping, and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials. Installation of thermal wells and borings to clean contaminated soil and groundwater.
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management. Installation of thermal wells and borings to clean contaminated soil and groundwater.
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production 12.4: By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water, and soil to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment. Installation of thermal wells and borings to clean contaminated soil and groundwater.
SDG 15: Life on Land 15.9: By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies, and accounts. Installation of thermal wells and borings to clean contaminated soil and groundwater.

Source: hastingstribune.com