Today in History: October 30, 1955 – Wholesome Water Flows in Grafton, N.D. – Grand Forks Herald

Report on Water Infrastructure Development in Grafton, N.D. (1955) in the Context of Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Introduction: Addressing a Critical Infrastructure Deficit

In October 1955, the city of Grafton, North Dakota, achieved a monumental milestone in public health and community development by commissioning a new water treatment plant. For 77 years, since its founding in 1878, the community had relied on saline artesian well water, which was unsuitable for consumption and domestic use. This report analyzes the project’s impact, framing it through the lens of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

2.0 Project Overview and Infrastructure Investment

The initiative represents a significant investment in resilient infrastructure, a core component of SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure). The project was designed to provide a sustainable, long-term solution to the city’s water crisis.

2.1 Project Specifications

• Total Investment: $800,000
• New Water Source: Park River
• Infrastructure: A modern filtration and water treatment plant
• Capacity: Capable of treating up to three million gallons of water per 24-hour period.
• Key Stakeholder: The North Dakota State School contributed 28.5% of the total cost, highlighting a crucial public partnership.

2.2 Implementation Timeline and Challenges

1. Contracts for the new filtration plant were awarded during the winter of 1953-54.
2. Construction commenced in mid-1954 and concluded in the summer of 1955.
3. The project faced delays due to equipment malfunctions and leaks in the concrete raw water reservoir, which required partial reconstruction.
4. The plant became fully operational in late October 1955, with a transitional period to flush the remaining saline water from the municipal mains.

3.0 Direct Contributions to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

3.1 SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

The Grafton water project is a direct fulfillment of SDG 6, which aims to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. The plant’s commissioning immediately advanced the following targets:

• Target 6.1: Achieved universal access to safe and affordable drinking water for the residents of Grafton, ending their reliance on trucked-in water stored in household containers.
• Target 6.3: Improved water quality by treating raw water from the Park River, eliminating the high salinity and contaminants of the previous artesian well source.

3.2 SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

By providing wholesome, potable water, the project significantly contributed to SDG 3. The elimination of highly saline water from the municipal supply had direct positive health and hygiene outcomes for the community.

• Reduced potential health risks associated with consuming or using contaminated water.
• Improved domestic sanitation, resolving issues such as mineral staining on fixtures and difficulties with laundry and bathing.
• Enhanced overall quality of life and well-being for all residents, including children, as exemplified by the family of Mayor Lloyd K. Everson.

3.3 SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The new water treatment plant made Grafton a more sustainable and resilient city, in line with the objectives of SDG 11.

• Target 11.1: Ensured access to adequate, safe, and affordable basic services for all citizens.
• Target 11.5: Upgraded critical infrastructure, making the community more resilient and self-sufficient. The ability for residents to maintain lawns and gardens also contributes to creating green public spaces.

4.0 Socio-Economic Impact and Advancement of SDG 8

The provision of reliable, clean water served as a catalyst for local economic activity, supporting SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by enhancing the productivity of local businesses.

4.1 Benefits for Commercial Enterprises

• Local businesses, such as cafes, gained direct access to purified water, streamlining operations.
• One cafe reported a monthly use of 18,000 gallons for cooking and an additional 45,000 gallons for washing, all now sourced directly from the tap, reducing operational burdens.

4.2 Improved Quality of Life for Residents

The transition to treated tap water fundamentally improved daily life for Grafton’s residents.

1. Eliminated the labor-intensive task of managing separate containers for drinking and cooking water.
2. Solved persistent domestic problems related to washing, cleaning, and appliance longevity caused by saline water.
3. Provided residents with the opportunity to engage in activities such as gardening, which were previously impossible.

5.0 Conclusion

The 1955 Grafton water treatment plant project stands as a historical example of successful community infrastructure development aligned with the core principles of the Sustainable Development Goals. By investing in a modern filtration system, the city secured access to clean water and sanitation (SDG 6), promoted public health (SDG 3), fostered a more sustainable and resilient community (SDG 11), and supported local economic growth (SDG 8). This initiative effectively transformed the quality of life for its citizens and provided a foundational service for future prosperity.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

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

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: This is the most direct and central SDG addressed. The article’s entire focus is on the city of Grafton transitioning from an undrinkable, salty water source to a new system providing clean, safe, and “wholesome” tap water for all its residents.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article implicitly connects to this goal by highlighting the shift from “salty, undrinkable artesian well water” to “good, wholesome water.” Access to clean water is fundamental for health, preventing waterborne diseases and improving hygiene. The elimination of contaminants that caused “salt-stained tubs” and laundry issues also contributes to a healthier living environment.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: The article details a major infrastructure project—the construction of a new “$800,000 water treatment plant.” This represents a significant investment in developing quality, reliable, and sustainable infrastructure to provide an essential service for the community and its businesses.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The project is a clear example of making a city more sustainable and livable. By providing universal access to a basic service like safe tap water for the “first time in Grafton’s 77-year history,” the city improved the quality of life for all its residents and supported local businesses, making the community more resilient.

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

• Target 6.1: “By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.” The article is a historical account of the city of Grafton achieving this exact target in 1955. It states, “People here have tap water available for every use for the first time since the city was founded.”
• 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 describes the elimination of the previous water source, which had a “high salt content” and was unfit for consumption. Replacing this contaminated source with treated water from the Park River directly reduces the population’s exposure to potentially harmful water.
• Target 9.1: “Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… to support economic development and human well-being.” The new water treatment plant is a prime example of this. It’s a quality infrastructure project (“modern water treatment plant”) that supports human well-being by providing safe water and aids economic development, as noted by its importance to businesses like cafes and the North Dakota State School.
• Target 11.1: “By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services…” Access to safe, piped water is a fundamental basic service. The article highlights that this service was extended to the entire city, from “the average Grafton home” to “Big water users, like cafe operators.”

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

• For Target 6.1: The primary indicator is the proportion of the population with access to safely managed drinking water. The article implies this went from 0% (for tap water, as it was “undrinkable” and clean water was “trucked in”) to 100% for the residents of Grafton.
• For Target 3.9: While no quantitative health data is provided, the article offers qualitative indicators of reduced water contamination. These include the elimination of “salt-stained tubs,” the disappearance of the “yellow ring… from the bathtub,” and solving the problem of finding “a soap that would produce good suds in salt water.”
• For Target 9.1: The article provides clear quantitative indicators related to infrastructure investment and capacity.
  • Investment: The plant’s cost is explicitly stated as “$800,000.”
  • Capacity: The plant’s treatment capacity is mentioned as “up to three-million gallons of water in 24 hours.”
• For Target 11.1: The indicator is the provision of a basic service to the population. The article confirms universal access within the city, noting that residents could now “turn a tap” and get wholesome water, a change that benefited everyone from “housewives” and “children” to local businesses. The article mentions a cafe using “18,000 gallons of purified water every month,” quantifying the new level of service.

4. Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: grandforksherald.com