Updating the City’s Water Conservation Plan Starts with You! – City of Spokane, Washington

Report on the City of Spokane’s Water Conservation Master Plan Update and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Introduction and Strategic Framework

The City of Spokane is undertaking a scheduled five-year review of its Water Conservation Master Plan, originally adopted in 2020. This initiative is a critical component of the city’s commitment to sustainable resource management, directly supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The plan’s core mission is to ensure the long-term viability of the local water supply for future generations, aligning with the principles of SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).

2.0 Core Objectives and SDG Alignment

The Water Conservation Master Plan is built on several key objectives that correspond with specific SDG targets. The primary goals include:

• Sustainable Water Management: To conserve the water supply drawn from the Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer, ensuring its health and availability. This directly addresses SDG 6, Target 6.4, which aims to substantially increase water-use efficiency and ensure sustainable withdrawals.
• Demand Reduction: To implement strategies that reduce overall water demand while minimizing impact on consumers. This objective supports SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by promoting the efficient use of natural resources.
• Cost-Effective Conservation: To select conservation activities based on their potential for pumping reduction at a reasonable cost, contributing to the economic and environmental sustainability of the city’s infrastructure as outlined in SDG 11.

3.0 Implementation Strategies

The city employs a multi-faceted approach to achieve its conservation targets. These strategies are detailed in both the Water Conservation Master Plan and the broader City of Spokane Water System Plan.

1. System Operation Improvements: Enhancements to the water system are designed to increase efficiency. This includes reducing distribution system loss, improving meter accuracy, and utilizing tiered rate structures to incentivize conservation. These actions are fundamental to achieving SDG 6.4.
2. Community-Focused Programs: The plan emphasizes utility-sponsored programs that empower the community to reduce water consumption. This collaborative approach fosters a culture of conservation, contributing to SDG 11 by creating a more resilient and sustainable urban environment.
3. Public Consultation and Engagement: A key component of the five-year update process is active community engagement. This aligns with SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by involving stakeholders in policy and planning.

4.0 Public Engagement Initiative: Community Survey

To ensure the updated plan reflects community priorities and perspectives, a public survey has been initiated. This participatory mechanism is crucial for shaping the direction of the conservation plan for the next five years.

• Purpose: To gather community input for the evaluation and strategic direction of the Water Conservation Master Plan.
• Accessibility: In a commitment to inclusivity and fulfilling the “leave no one behind” principle of the SDGs, the survey is available in multiple languages, including Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, and Arabic.
• Contribution to SDGs: This initiative strengthens public participation in local governance, a key aspect of building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions as described in SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

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

The article on the City of Spokane’s Water Conservation Plan addresses several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: This is the most prominent SDG, as the entire article focuses on the sustainable management and conservation of water resources to ensure availability for future generations. The plan aims to “conserve our water supply and to sustainably manage it for future generations.”
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The article discusses a city-level initiative to manage a critical resource (water) sustainably. This contributes to making the city more resilient and environmentally sustainable. The “Water Conservation Master Plan” is a key strategy for the City of Spokane’s sustainable development.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: The plan’s focus on reducing water demand and helping the community reduce its water use directly aligns with promoting responsible consumption patterns. The article mentions strategies to “reduce demand while minimizing customer impact” and programs that “help the community reduce its water use.”
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The city’s approach involves public participation through a “community survey to gain community perspective.” This engagement of local communities is a form of partnership essential for achieving sustainable development goals.

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

Based on the article, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

• Under SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
  • Target 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater. The article directly addresses this by outlining a plan with “goals, targets, strategies and actions to conserve our water supply,” including “water system operation improvements to reduce distribution system loss” and programs to “help the community reduce its water use.”
  • Target 6.5: By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels. The “Water Conservation Master Plan” itself is an example of integrated water resources management at the municipal level, aiming to “keep the Spokane Valley-Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer healthy.”
  • Target 6.b: Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management. The city is actively seeking public input through a “community survey to gain community perspective and incorporate into the evaluation and direction of the plan.”
• Under SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
  • Target 11.6: By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities. Efficiently managing water and reducing waste, as detailed in the plan, is a direct action to lower the city’s environmental footprint.
• Under SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
  • Target 12.2: By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources. The article’s central theme is the sustainable management and efficient use of water, a critical natural resource, through conservation activities and demand reduction.

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 or implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Indicator for Target 6.4 (Water-use efficiency): The article implies progress will be measured by tracking reductions in water use and system losses. Specific measures mentioned include:
  • Pumping reduction potential: The selection of conservation activities is “based on their pumping reduction potential,” which is a direct measure of reduced water withdrawal.
  • Reduction in distribution system loss: This is explicitly stated as a goal of “water system operation improvements.”
  • Community water use: The plan includes “utility sponsored programs that help the community reduce its water use,” suggesting that changes in community consumption will be tracked.
• Indicator for Target 6.5 (Integrated water resources management):
  • Existence and implementation of a management plan: The “Water Conservation Master Plan” itself, and the process of reviewing and updating it “every five years,” serves as an indicator of ongoing integrated water resources management.
• Indicator for Target 6.b (Community participation):
  • Public engagement mechanisms: The implementation of a “community survey” is a clear indicator of a procedure for local community participation in water management. The availability of the survey in multiple languages (Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, and Arabic) further indicates the breadth of this engagement effort.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: my.spokanecity.org