Mattoon Water Use Update (AS OF 2PM FRIDAY) – the X Radio

Water Quality Assessment in Mattoon and Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Regulatory Oversight and Water Sampling

A report issued on July 11, 2025, confirms that the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) has conducted a site visit and collected water samples from the Mattoon water treatment plant. The results of this assessment are pending and are anticipated to be released by Saturday at 2:00 pm. This regulatory action is a critical measure in safeguarding public health and ensuring environmental compliance.

Alignment with SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

This investigation directly addresses the objectives of Sustainable Development Goal 6, which aims to ensure the availability and sustainable management of clean water for all. The proactive sampling and analysis by the IEPA are essential functions for achieving Target 6.1: to provide universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water.

• The situation underscores the necessity of robust and continuous monitoring of municipal water systems to guarantee water safety.
• Regulatory intervention by agencies like the IEPA is fundamental to upholding the standards required by SDG 6.
• The pending results will be a key indicator of the community’s progress toward meeting the clean water targets outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Public Health Guidance and SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

In anticipation of a potential drinking water advisory, the IEPA has issued precautionary guidance. This advice aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 3, which seeks to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being, particularly Target 3.9, aimed at reducing illnesses from water pollution and contamination. The guidance distinguishes between different types of water use to minimize health risks.

Official Recommendations in the Event of a Water Advisory:

1. Non-Consumptive Use: Based on current scientific understanding, tap water is considered unlikely to be harmful for activities such as:
   • Showering and bathing
   • Hand washing
   • Laundry
2. Precautions for Vulnerable Groups: To protect the health of the most vulnerable, a core principle of SDG 3, it is recommended that infants and children under the age of six be supervised during bathing and other tap water activities to prevent accidental ingestion.
3. Consumptive Use: The US EPA recommends that alternative water sources be used for all activities involving potential ingestion. This is critical for preventing waterborne illness and includes:
   • Drinking
   • Preparing or washing food
   • Making beverages or ice
   • Preparing infant formula

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Article

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 safety and quality of drinking water from the Mattoon water treatment plant. The involvement of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) to test water samples and the potential issuance of a “drinking water advisory” directly relate to the core mission of SDG 6, which is to ensure access to clean water for all.

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

1. Target 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.

   The article directly addresses this target by discussing the safety of the tap water for consumption. A potential “drinking water advisory” would mean that the population of Mattoon temporarily loses access to safe drinking water from their primary source, forcing them to use “alternate water sources.” The entire situation revolves around verifying whether the water is safe for the public to drink.

2. Target 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials…

   The action of the IEPA taking samples from the water plant implies a concern about the water’s quality, which is the focus of this target. While the source of the potential contamination is not named, the investigation itself is a measure to ensure water quality is not compromised by harmful substances, aligning with the goal of improving water quality by addressing potential pollution.

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

1. Indicator 6.1.1: Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services.

   This indicator is implicitly central to the article. The IEPA’s testing is the method of determining if the water is “safely managed.” The pending results will quantify the water’s safety. If an advisory is issued, the proportion of the population using safely managed drinking water services from the tap would effectively drop to zero, as the article recommends using “alternate water sources” for drinking and food preparation.

2. Indicator 6.3.2: Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality.

   The IEPA’s sampling and testing of the water from the treatment plant is a direct action to measure its quality. The “pending results” will provide the data to assess whether the water meets the standards for “good ambient water quality.” A drinking water advisory would be issued if the results show the water quality is poor.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: thexradio.com