Governor Gianforte Highlights Whitehall Water Treatment Plant Investment – State of Montana Newsroom (.gov)

Report on the Whitehall Water Treatment Plant and its Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

Project Overview and Background

A new water treatment facility in Whitehall, Montana, is nearing completion and is expected to become operational in late summer 2025. The project was initiated in response to a December 2014 notification from the Montana Department of Environmental Quality regarding high levels of uranium in the town’s drinking water. The primary objective of the new plant is to implement a modern treatment system to remove these contaminants and ensure a safe water supply for approximately 1,100 customers.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

The Whitehall Water Treatment Plant project is in direct alignment with the objectives of SDG 6, which aims to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.

• Target 6.1: Safe and Affordable Drinking Water: The facility’s core mission is to provide the community of Whitehall with reliable access to safe drinking water, free from harmful levels of uranium. This directly supports the goal of achieving universal and equitable access to safe water.
• Target 6.3: Improve Water Quality: By installing a system specifically designed to remove uranium, the project actively works to improve water quality by reducing chemical contamination, thereby protecting public health and the local environment.

Contribution to Broader Sustainable Development Goals

Beyond its primary focus on water quality, the project contributes to several other interconnected SDGs.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: By eliminating a known carcinogen from the public water supply, the plant is a critical public health intervention that reduces the risk of long-term illness and promotes the overall well-being of the community.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: The construction of the nearly $8 million facility represents a significant investment in resilient, reliable, and sustainable infrastructure. It utilizes modern water treatment technology to solve a critical environmental challenge.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: Access to safe water is a fundamental component of a sustainable community. This infrastructure upgrade enhances the safety, resilience, and long-term viability of the Town of Whitehall.

Financial Framework and Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships (SDG 17)

The project’s successful implementation is a testament to effective multi-stakeholder collaboration, a principle central to SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. The total investment of nearly $8 million was secured through a diverse funding coalition.

1. State Funding: State grants constituted a significant portion of the funding, including contributions from the Montana Coal Endowment Program, the State Revolving Loan Fund, and the Renewable Resource Grant and Loan Program.
2. Federal Funding: The state allocated $2 million in competitive American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant funds to the project.
3. Local and Other Funding: A local match of $2.4 million was provided, demonstrating community commitment to the project’s success.
4. Public-Private Partnership: The project involved collaboration between government entities and private sector partners, including Triple Tree Engineering and Hard Rock Road Building & Utilities, who managed the design and construction.

SDGs Addressed in the Article

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

• The article’s primary focus is on the construction of a new water treatment plant in Whitehall, Montana, to provide clean drinking water. This directly addresses the core mission of SDG 6. The text explicitly states the project’s goal is to “ensure clean drinking water for their customers” and to address a notification from the Montana Department of Environmental Quality about “high levels of uranium in drinking water.” The new facility is designed to “remove the contaminants,” which is a fundamental aspect of water and sanitation management.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• The project is described as one of many “water and sewer infrastructure projects across the state” and a “critical water and sewer upgrade.” This investment in basic services for the Town of Whitehall, which serves approximately 1,100 customers, contributes to making the community safer and more sustainable. The governor’s statement that “hardworking public works departments across Montana keep our cities and towns healthy and safe” reinforces this connection to building resilient and sustainable local communities.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• The article highlights the collaborative funding model for the water treatment plant, which is a key element of SDG 17. It details how the “nearly $8 million investment” was made possible “through a combination of state and federal grants and local funding.” Specific partnerships mentioned include state support from the Montana Coal Endowment Program and the Renewable Resource Grant and Loan Program, federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), and a match from “local and other sources.” The governor praises the “collaboration between the state and local leaders across Montana,” which exemplifies the multi-stakeholder partnerships promoted by this goal.

Specific Targets Identified

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

   • The article directly relates to this target by describing the effort to rectify a situation where drinking water was contaminated with “high levels of uranium.” The new plant is built specifically to provide safe drinking water to the town’s “approximately 1,100 customers,” moving them from a compromised water source to a safely managed one.

2. Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.

   • The water treatment plant is a “critical water and sewer upgrade,” which falls under the category of “basic services.” By investing in this infrastructure, the state and local partners are working to ensure the residents of Whitehall have access to a fundamental service required for a safe and healthy community.

3. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.

   • The funding structure of the project is a clear example of this target in action. The article breaks down the financing, mentioning a “$2 million investment” from the state, “$2 million in competitive American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant funds,” and a “$2.4 million in local and other sources.” This demonstrates a multi-level government partnership (federal, state, and local) to achieve a common goal.

Indicators Mentioned or Implied

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

   • The article implies progress on this indicator. Before the plant, the water source had “high levels of uranium,” meaning it was not “safely managed.” The new facility, which will “remove the contaminants” for “approximately 1,100 customers,” aims to increase the proportion of the population with access to safely managed water to 100% for its service area.

2. Indicator 17.17.1: Amount of United States dollars committed to public-private and civil society partnerships.

   • The article provides specific financial data that can be used for this indicator. It quantifies the financial commitments to the partnership: a total project cost of “nearly $8 million,” a state contribution of “$2 million,” federal ARPA funds of “$2 million,” and a local match of “$2.4 million.” These figures directly measure the financial scale of the partnership.

Summary of Findings

Source: news.mt.gov