Vancouver garbage rates tick up slightly next year, but large water rate increases loom – Oregon Public Broadcasting – OPB

Report on Vancouver Utility Adjustments and Infrastructure Investment Aligned with Sustainable Development Goals

Section 1: Waste Management and Responsible Consumption (SDG 12)

1.1 2026 Tariff Adjustments for Waste Services

The Vancouver City Council has approved a minor rate adjustment for municipal solid waste collection services, effective in 2026. This adjustment is attributed to inflation and revised county and city fees, partially offset by a decrease in fuel costs.

• Residential Customers: An estimated monthly increase of $0.32 for a standard 32-gallon container with weekly collection of garbage, recycling, and organic waste.
• Commercial Customers: A monthly increase of $3.74 for a 2-yard garbage dumpster.

1.2 Contribution to SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

These services, managed through a contract with Waste Connections of Washington, are fundamental to the city’s commitment to sustainable urban living. By providing structured collection for recycling and organic materials, the city actively promotes waste reduction and supports the principles of a circular economy, directly contributing to the targets of SDG 12.

Section 2: Strategic Investments in Water Infrastructure to Advance SDG 6

2.1 Overview of Capital Improvement Program

Vancouver Public Works has outlined a comprehensive six-year capital investment plan to upgrade critical water infrastructure. The program is designed to enhance service delivery, address contamination, and build resilience in anticipation of long-term population growth. These initiatives are central to achieving SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).

2.2 Key Projects and SDG Alignment

1. PFAS Contamination Mitigation: A significant investment of approximately $300 million is allocated for upgrading water stations to remove Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). This project directly addresses SDG Target 6.1, ensuring access to safe drinking water by eliminating harmful, persistent chemicals and protecting public health.
2. Wastewater Utility Modernization: Upgrades to aging wastewater infrastructure, including pump stations and a treatment plant incinerator, are planned. This work is essential for meeting SDG Target 6.3, which aims to improve water quality by reducing pollution and improving wastewater treatment.
3. Stormwater System Enhancements: Projects such as the Mill Creek culvert replacement and water quality improvements along Burnt Bridge Creek will enhance flood resiliency and protect local ecosystems. This aligns with SDG Target 6.6, focused on the protection and restoration of water-related ecosystems.

Section 3: Building Resilient and Sustainable Urban Infrastructure (SDG 9 & SDG 11)

3.1 New Public Works Operations Center

A cornerstone of the city’s infrastructure plan is the construction of a new $175 million Public Works operations center. The facility is designed to be seismically resilient, addressing a critical vulnerability in the current, undersized center. This investment supports two key Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure): The project focuses on building quality, reliable, and resilient infrastructure to support community well-being.
• SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): By enhancing the city’s capacity to withstand natural disasters, the project makes Vancouver safer, more resilient, and better prepared for future challenges, in line with SDG Target 11.5.

Section 4: Financial Strategy for Sustainable Development

4.1 Projected Rate Increases to Fund Infrastructure

To finance these critical, SDG-aligned projects, a series of phased utility rate increases have been adopted or proposed.

• Drinking Water: A 4.5% annual increase for the 2025-26 biennium is adopted, with a potential 5.5-6% increase recommended for both 2027 and 2028.
• Wastewater: A 6% increase is adopted for the current biennium, with a potential 5.5% increase proposed for 2027 and 2028.
• Stormwater: An 8% increase is adopted for the current biennium, with a similar 8% increase recommended for the 2027-28 biennium.

4.2 Alternative Funding Mechanisms

In addition to rate adjustments, the city is actively exploring diverse funding sources to support these capital-intensive projects. These include the issuance of bonds and applications for low-interest federal and EPA loans, ensuring a financially sustainable approach to achieving long-term public health and environmental goals.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

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

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article connects to this goal by discussing the health risks associated with PFAS chemicals in drinking water, such as an increased risk of cancer, and the city’s efforts to mitigate this contamination.
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: This is a central theme of the article. It details plans to upgrade drinking water, sewer, and stormwater utilities to ensure the continued provision of clean water and effective sanitation for the city’s residents.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: The article extensively covers the development of resilient infrastructure. It mentions the construction of a new, seismically resilient Public Works operations center and upgrades to aging water, wastewater, and stormwater systems to handle population growth and natural disasters.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The entire context of the article is urban development in Vancouver. It addresses the provision of basic services (waste collection, water, sanitation), making the city’s infrastructure resilient to disasters (seismic events, floods), and managing municipal waste.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: The article begins by discussing the management of municipal waste, including rates for trash, recycling, and organic waste collection, which relates to sustainable waste management practices.

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

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.” The article directly addresses this by highlighting the city’s plan to upgrade water stations to mitigate contamination from PFAS, which it identifies as “a type of persistent, human-created chemical that can increase the risk of cancer and other serious health issues.”
2. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
   • Target 6.1: “By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.” The city’s efforts to remove PFAS contamination are aimed at ensuring “safe” drinking water. The discussion of rate increases (e.g., 4.5% annual increase) directly relates to the “affordable” aspect of this target.
   • Target 6.3: “By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution… and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials…” The project to mitigate PFAS contamination is a direct action to improve water quality by reducing hazardous chemicals. Additionally, planned “water quality improvements along Burnt Bridge Creek” align with this target.
3. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • Target 9.1: “Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… to support economic development and human well-being…” The article details numerous infrastructure projects, such as building a new “seismically resilient” operations center, upgrading aging wastewater infrastructure, and implementing stormwater projects for “flood resiliency,” all of which contribute to developing reliable and resilient infrastructure.
4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.5: “By 2030, significantly reduce… the direct economic losses… caused by disasters… with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations.” The specific mention of making the new Public Works facility “seismically resilient” and upgrading stormwater infrastructure to achieve “flood resiliency” directly corresponds to efforts to mitigate the impact of natural disasters.
   • Target 11.6: “By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to… municipal and other waste management.” The article’s initial focus on the rate structures for “trash, recycling and organic waste” collection demonstrates the city’s management of municipal waste streams.
5. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
   • Target 12.5: “By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.” The provision of services for “recycling and organic waste” collection, as mentioned in the article, is a key strategy for reducing the amount of waste that goes to disposal, thereby contributing to this target.

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

• Concentration of pollutants in water: The article’s focus on mitigating PFAS contamination implies that a key indicator for progress towards Target 3.9 and 6.3 would be the measured concentration of PFAS chemicals in the municipal drinking water supply. The goal would be to reduce these levels.
• Proportion of infrastructure resilient to disasters: To measure progress on Target 9.1 and 11.5, an indicator would be the number or percentage of critical public works facilities (like the operations center and water stations) that have been upgraded to meet seismic and flood resilience standards.
• Cost of services as a proportion of household income: The article provides specific figures for rate increases (e.g., “$0.32 cents per month for garbage,” a “4.5% annual rate increase” for water). These figures can be used as indicators to track the affordability of water and sanitation services, which is relevant to Target 6.1.
• Proportion of municipal waste recycled/composted: While not stating specific percentages, the mention of distinct services for “recycling and organic waste” implies that the city tracks these waste streams. The proportion of waste diverted from landfills through these programs would be a direct indicator for Target 12.5 and 11.6.
• Investment in infrastructure: The article mentions the costs of major projects, such as “$175 million” for the operations center and approximately “$300 million” for PFAS mitigation. The total capital investment in water, sanitation, and waste management infrastructure serves as an indicator of the city’s commitment to achieving these goals.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: opb.org