We must address how municipal sewage is polluting our oceans [letter] – LancasterOnline

Report on Marine Pollution and its Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: An Unseen Crisis Undermining Global Sustainability

The world’s oceans, critical for climate regulation and sustaining life, face a severe crisis from land-based human activities. While public attention is often focused on plastic debris, a more pervasive and damaging threat exists: the chronic contamination from untreated municipal sewage. This issue directly contravenes the objectives of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). This report analyzes the primary sources of marine pollution and advocates for a foundational solution aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Analysis of Land-Based Marine Pollution Sources

The Prevalent but Incomplete Focus on Plastic Debris

Efforts to reduce plastic waste and conduct ocean cleanups are valuable but represent a reactive approach to a symptom of a larger problem. These initiatives do not address the root causes of marine degradation and cannot intercept the continuous flow of chemical and biological pollutants from land.

The Primary Threat: Untreated Municipal and Industrial Wastewater

An estimated 80% of marine pollution originates from land-based sources, with untreated wastewater being the most significant contributor. The discharge of this effluent introduces a range of harmful substances into marine environments, directly undermining SDG 14.1, which aims to prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution from land-based activities.

• Pathogens: Threaten marine life and human health, conflicting with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).
• Nutrients: Cause eutrophication, leading to oxygen-depleted “dead zones” that decimate coastal ecosystems.
• Chemicals: Contaminants such as oils and heavy metals have toxic effects on marine organisms.
• Microplastics: Wastewater is a primary pathway for microplastics entering the ocean.

A Foundational Solution Aligned with the SDGs

The Strategic Imperative for Advanced Wastewater Treatment

The most impactful and sustainable solution to this crisis is the widespread implementation of advanced wastewater treatment infrastructure. This preventative strategy addresses multiple pollutants at their source, offering a comprehensive return on investment for planetary health and representing a direct action towards achieving key SDG targets.

Direct Contributions to Sustainable Development Goals

1. SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation): Investment in treatment facilities is the primary mechanism for achieving Target 6.3, which calls for halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and improving ambient water quality.
2. SDG 14 (Life Below Water): By systematically removing nutrients, chemicals, and pathogens, this infrastructure directly protects marine biodiversity and restores the health of coastal ecosystems.
3. SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Comprehensive wastewater management is a cornerstone of sustainable urban infrastructure, essential for reducing the adverse environmental impact of cities as per Target 11.6.

Recommendations and Call for Global Action

Prioritizing Investment in Foundational Infrastructure

While the cost and complexity of developing global wastewater treatment infrastructure are significant, it must be viewed as a long-term, curative investment in environmental and public health. This approach is fundamentally more effective than symptomatic treatments like debris cleanup.

A Multi-Level Governance Approach

Achieving this goal requires a concerted effort across all levels of governance, reflecting the spirit of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The following actions are recommended:

• Governments at local and national levels must prioritize and mandate comprehensive wastewater treatment.
• International organizations and financial institutions must create funding mechanisms to support infrastructure development in all nations.
• Policy frameworks must be strengthened to enforce universal standards for wastewater discharge.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

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

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  The article’s central theme is the “chronic contamination from untreated municipal sewage” and the urgent need for “advanced wastewater treatment infrastructure.” This directly addresses the core mission of SDG 6, which is to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

• SDG 14: Life Below Water

  The article explicitly states that the world’s oceans face an “unprecedented crisis” from pollution. It details how untreated sewage introduces “pathogens, nutrients and chemicals that create ‘dead zones’ and decimate coastal ecosystems,” which is a primary concern of SDG 14, aimed at conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas, and marine resources.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  By mentioning that untreated sewage “introduces pathogens” into the oceans, the article implicitly connects the issue to public health. Pathogens in water can cause diseases, and addressing this pollution contributes to ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being, which is the goal of SDG 3.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The article identifies the source of the pollution as “untreated municipal sewage,” linking the problem directly to cities and human settlements. The call to “mandate comprehensive wastewater treatment everywhere” is a call for improving municipal waste management, a key aspect of making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable under SDG 11.

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

• Target 6.3 (under SDG 6): “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.”

  The article’s main argument for investing in “advanced wastewater treatment infrastructure” to stop the flow of “untreated municipal sewage” directly aligns with this target’s goal of reducing the proportion of untreated wastewater.

• Target 14.1 (under SDG 14): “By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution.”

  The article highlights that “80% of marine pollution originates from land” and specifically mentions how sewage introduces “nutrients” that harm coastal ecosystems. This directly corresponds to the focus of Target 14.1 on reducing land-based marine pollution.

• Target 3.9 (under SDG 3): “By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.”

  The mention of “pathogens” and “chemical contamination such as oils and heavy metals” in untreated sewage connects to this target. Treating wastewater would reduce human exposure to these harmful substances, thereby reducing illnesses and deaths from water pollution.

• Target 11.6 (under SDG 11): “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.”

  The problem of “untreated municipal sewage” is a failure of municipal waste management. The proposed solution of comprehensive wastewater treatment is a direct effort to reduce the adverse environmental impact of cities, as outlined in this target.

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

• Indicator for Target 6.3: The article implies the relevance of Indicator 6.3.1: Proportion of wastewater safely treated. The entire text is a call to action to increase this proportion. The phrase “billions of gallons of untreated sewage” suggests that the volume or proportion of untreated wastewater is the key metric to track.
• Indicator for Target 14.1: The article implies the use of Indicator 14.1.1: Index of Coastal Eutrophication. By describing how nutrient runoff from sewage creates “‘dead zones’ and decimate(s) coastal ecosystems,” the article points directly to the phenomenon of eutrophication, which this indicator measures.
• Indicator for Target 3.9: The mention of “pathogens” in sewage implies a connection to Indicator 3.9.2: Mortality rate attributed to unsafe water, unsafe sanitation and lack of hygiene. Reducing the discharge of pathogens through wastewater treatment would directly contribute to lowering the health risks measured by this indicator.
• Indicator for Target 11.6: The focus on “untreated municipal sewage” relates to Indicator 11.6.1: Proportion of municipal solid waste collected and managed in controlled facilities. While this indicator often focuses on solid waste, wastewater is a critical component of municipal waste streams. The call for “comprehensive wastewater treatment” is a call for managing this waste in controlled facilities, which is what the indicator tracks.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: lancasteronline.com