6. CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION

DAILY DIGEST, 7/24: White House rescinds $20m for clean water in rural CA; DWR: Securing statewide water supplies with Delta Conveyance Project; Marina voicing dispute over CalAm Water Desalination Plant; Lake Mead water projections raise red flags; – Maven’s Notebook

DAILY DIGEST, 7/24: White House rescinds m for clean water in rural CA; DWR: Securing statewide water supplies with Delta Conveyance Project; Marina voicing dispute over CalAm Water Desalination Plant; Lake Mead water projections raise red flags; – Maven’s Notebook
Written by ZJbTFBGJ2T

DAILY DIGEST, 7/24: White House rescinds $20m for clean water in rural CA; DWR: Securing statewide water supplies with Delta Conveyance Project; Marina voicing dispute over CalAm Water Desalination Plant; Lake Mead water projections raise red flags;  Maven’s Notebook

 

California Environmental Policy and Sustainable Development Report

I. State-Level Policy, Funding, and Infrastructure

A. Governance, Funding, and Legal Frameworks



  • Federal Funding for Water Access Rescinded: A $20 million federal grant intended to provide clean drinking water to pesticide-contaminated rural communities in California has been rescinded by the White House. This action directly impacts progress on SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and exacerbates challenges related to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) for vulnerable agricultural populations.

  • Legislative Rollback of Environmental Review: California has approved significant changes to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), exempting projects such as high-tech manufacturing, farmworker housing, and water infrastructure from full environmental reviews. This policy shift presents complex trade-offs between streamlining development (SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and upholding environmental protections central to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

  • Public Opinion on Environmental Policy: A PPIC Statewide Survey indicates strong public support for environmental protection, yet reveals a conflict between state climate goals and shifting federal policies. This highlights a critical challenge in achieving SDG 13 (Climate Action) and underscores the importance of coherent governance under SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

  • Regulation of Microplastic Contamination: A bipartisan federal bill, the Microplastics Safety Act, has been introduced to mandate an FDA study on the human health effects of microplastics. This legislative effort aligns with goals for SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water) by addressing a pervasive and emerging environmental health threat.


B. Water and Energy Infrastructure Projects



  • Delta Conveyance Project for Water Security: The Department of Water Resources is proceeding with the Delta Conveyance Project to modernize state water infrastructure. The project aims to secure reliable water supplies against the threats of climate change and seismic activity, directly supporting SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure).

  • Renewable Energy on Agricultural Land: The approval of the nation’s largest solar-plus-storage project in Fresno County on retired farmland represents a significant step toward SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). This approach demonstrates a strategy for land use that can support both renewable energy transition and sustainable agriculture goals (SDG 2: Zero Hunger) by repurposing water-stressed land.

  • Coastal Pipeline Oversight: A court decision affirmed the California Coastal Commission’s authority to pursue legal action against an oil company for unpermitted pipeline work. This case reinforces regulatory mechanisms essential for protecting marine ecosystems, a key objective of SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

II. Regional Water Management and Environmental Issues

A. North Coast



  • Klamath River Dam Removal and Restoration: The completion of a historic source-to-sea river journey by Indigenous youth celebrates the undamming of the Klamath River. This milestone advances SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 15 (Life on Land) through large-scale ecosystem restoration and promotes SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by recognizing the cultural and environmental leadership of Tribal communities.

  • Potter Valley Project Decommissioning Agreement: A multi-stakeholder agreement has been reached for the decommissioning of the Potter Valley Project, involving dam removal on the Eel River. The plan seeks to balance habitat restoration with regional water needs, contributing to SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).


B. Mountain Counties and Sacramento Valley



  • Lake Tahoe Water Quality Monitoring: Researchers are seeking to deploy advanced drone technology to monitor algae blooms in Lake Tahoe. This initiative is critical for protecting the lake’s ecosystem and water quality, directly supporting SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

  • American River Debris Removal: Placer County is moving forward with a project to remove decades-old bridge debris from the American River. This action will improve river health and public safety, contributing to the goals of SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).


C. Central Coast and San Joaquin Valley



  • Pajaro River Levee Project Funding: Efforts to secure federal funding for the Pajaro River levee reconstruction project face political challenges. The project is vital for protecting a vulnerable farmworker community from catastrophic flooding, making it a critical issue for SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

  • Desalination Project Controversy: The City of Marina is disputing the water demand projections underpinning a proposed large-scale desalination plant. This conflict highlights the challenges in planning for future water security (SDG 6) while ensuring sustainable and appropriate infrastructure development (SDG 9).

  • Hydrogen Plant Approval Rescinded: The Port of Stockton has withdrawn its approval for a planned hydrogen production facility following an environmental lawsuit. This decision prioritizes air quality and climate goals, aligning with SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).


D. Southern California and San Diego



  • Cross-Border Sewage Pollution Funding: U.S. Representatives have requested $45 million in federal funding to address the ongoing cross-border sewage crisis affecting the San Diego region. This funding is essential for mitigating severe public health risks and environmental damage, directly targeting SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

  • Mojave River Pipeline Enhancement: The Mojave Water Agency has initiated an infrastructure project to improve the resilience of the Mojave River Pipeline. This upgrade is designed to secure long-term water supply reliability, contributing to SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure).

  • Mission Bay Land Use and Climate Adaptation: San Diego has extended leases for waterfront camping in Mission Bay while maintaining long-term plans to convert the area to marshland as a climate adaptation strategy. This decision navigates the competing interests of public access, economic activity, and environmental resilience, touching upon SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 14 (Life Below Water).

III. National and Colorado River Basin Developments

A. Colorado River Basin Crisis



  1. Urgent Negotiations on Water Sharing: Federal authorities are increasing pressure on the seven Colorado River Basin states to finalize a new water-sharing agreement as reservoir levels decline. Reaching a consensus is fundamental to achieving SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and fostering cooperative governance (SDG 16) for 40 million people.

  2. Critical Reservoir Projections: The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation forecasts that Lake Mead and Lake Powell could reach critically low levels by 2026-2027, threatening both water supplies and hydropower generation. This projection underscores the severe impacts of climate change and the urgent need for action on SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy).

  3. Water Scarcity and Food Security: Agricultural leaders in Arizona warn that reductions in water allocations from the Colorado River could jeopardize the nation’s winter vegetable supply, highlighting the direct link between regional water management (SDG 6) and national food security (SDG 2: Zero Hunger).


B. National and International Climate Policy



  1. Increased Flash Flooding Across the U.S.: A surge in flash flood warnings in 2025 highlights the nation’s increasing vulnerability to extreme weather events driven by climate change. This trend emphasizes the need for enhanced infrastructure resilience and adaptation planning in line with SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

  2. Proposed Elimination of EPA’s Endangerment Finding: The Trump administration has proposed rescinding the EPA’s 2009 “endangerment finding,” which provides the legal foundation for regulating greenhouse gases. Such a move would represent a major setback for national and global efforts to achieve SDG 13 (Climate Action).

  3. International Court of Justice Climate Ruling: The UN’s highest court issued an advisory opinion affirming that nations have a legal obligation under international law to take action against climate change to protect human rights. This landmark opinion strengthens the global legal framework for holding states accountable for progress on SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

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

The article discusses a wide range of environmental and water-related issues in California and beyond, connecting to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The primary SDGs addressed are:

  • SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

    The article highlights health risks associated with environmental degradation. This includes the health burdens from drinking water contaminated with pesticides in Monterey County and the potential human health implications of microplastics in the food and water supply, which a proposed federal bill aims to investigate.

  • SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

    This is the most prominent SDG in the article. It is addressed through numerous topics, including the provision of clean drinking water to communities with contaminated wells, securing statewide water supplies via large-scale infrastructure like the Delta Conveyance Project, managing dwindling resources in the Colorado River, restoring rivers through dam removals (Klamath and Eel Rivers), and tackling cross-border sewage pollution.

  • SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

    The article touches on the transition to clean energy with the mention of the nation’s largest solar-plus-storage project being approved in Fresno County. This project is presented as a solution to the climate crisis and is planned for retired farmland to minimize environmental conflicts.

  • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

    This goal is relevant in the context of urban and community infrastructure and environmental quality. Examples include the need to protect communities like Pajaro and Lodi from catastrophic flooding, the debate over building a desalination plant to meet future water demand in Monterey Peninsula, and the settlement of a lawsuit against a planned hydrogen plant in Stockton due to air pollution concerns.

  • SDG 13: Climate Action

    Climate change is a recurring theme. The article discusses its impacts, such as rising temperatures across California, extended wildfire seasons, sea-level rise threatening water supplies, and its role in exacerbating water scarcity in the Colorado River basin. It also covers actions to combat climate change, like the approval of a large solar project and the international court’s opinion on state responsibility.

  • SDG 14: Life Below Water

    This goal is addressed through efforts to protect marine and coastal ecosystems. The article mentions the problem of microplastics in the water supply, the regulation of unpermitted pipeline work along the Santa Barbara coast to protect coastal areas, and the monitoring of algae and water clarity in Lake Tahoe.

  • SDG 15: Life on Land

    The article connects to this SDG through discussions on forest management, habitat restoration, and land use. This includes the use of Indigenous fire management techniques to prevent megafires, the restoration of the Klamath and Eel Rivers through dam removal to improve habitats, and the strategic use of retired farmland for renewable energy projects.

  • SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

    This goal is reflected in the article’s coverage of policy, governance, and legal actions. Examples include the White House’s rescission of a grant for clean water, the rollback of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), legal challenges to oil pipeline work, and the international court’s opinion on climate change obligations, all of which relate to institutional decisions and environmental justice.

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

Based on the issues discussed, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

  1. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

    • Target 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all. This is directly relevant to the section “White House rescinds $20m for clean water in pesticide-contaminated rural California,” which describes how thousands of residents lack safe drinking water due to pesticide contamination.
    • Target 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials. This is addressed by the story on the cross-border sewage crisis near San Diego and the proposed funding to combat it, as well as the discussion on microplastics and pesticide contamination.
    • Target 6.4: By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity. This is central to the discussions about the Colorado River, where dwindling supplies threaten states, and the DWR’s Delta Conveyance Project, which aims to secure California’s water supply for millions of people and farmland.
    • Target 6.5: By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate. This is exemplified by the negotiations between the Upper and Lower Basin states of the Colorado River and the agreement between Humboldt County, other counties, tribes, and environmental groups regarding the Potter Valley Project and Eel River water diversion.
    • Target 6.6: By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes. The article highlights progress toward this target with the removal of dams on the Klamath and Eel Rivers to restore their free-flowing state and the efforts to monitor and protect the clarity and health of Lake Tahoe.
  2. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

    • Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. The approval of the “nation’s largest solar-plus-storage project” in Fresno County, which will power 850,000 homes, is a direct contribution to this target.
  3. SDG 13: Climate Action

    • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. This is addressed by projects designed to mitigate climate impacts, such as the Delta Conveyance Project to manage “big, but infrequent storm events” and the Pajaro River levee project to protect a community from “catastrophic breach” and flooding.
    • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. The article discusses this at multiple levels, from California’s state policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to the federal government’s proposed rollback of the “endangerment finding” and the International Court of Justice’s opinion that states must act on climate change.
  4. SDG 15: Life on Land

    • Target 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally. The section on Indigenous fire management discusses how historical practices managed forests sustainably and how modern forests are overly dense, contributing to “megafires,” pointing to the need for better management practices.

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 contains several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress:

  • For SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation):

    • Financial Flows: The rescinded “$20m grant” for clean water in Monterey County and the requested “$45 million in funding” to combat the sewage crisis are financial indicators for Target 6.1 and 6.3.
    • Water Quality: The mention of “staggering levels of highly toxic pesticide ingredients” and the presence of “microplastics” are qualitative indicators of water pollution (Target 6.3). The clarity of Lake Tahoe, measured at an average of “62 feet,” is a quantitative indicator of ecosystem health (Target 6.6).
    • Water Quantity/Scarcity: Projections that Lake Mead’s water elevation could drop to “1,038 feet by the end of June 2027” and that Lake Powell could fall below “minimum power pool by December 2026” are critical indicators for water scarcity (Target 6.4).
    • Infrastructure Projects: The implementation of the “Delta Conveyance Project,” the removal of the “Scott Dam and Cape Horn Dam,” and the construction of the “Pajaro River levee” are project-based indicators of progress in water management and ecosystem restoration (Targets 6.5, 6.6).
  • For SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy):

    • Renewable Energy Capacity: The Darden project’s capacity of “1,150 megawatts of solar energy and 4,600 megawatts-hours of battery storage” is a direct indicator of increasing the share of renewable energy (Target 7.2). The fact it can “power 850,000 homes” is an impact indicator.
  • For SDG 13 (Climate Action):

    • Temperature Change: The statewide average temperature increase of “2.5 degrees Fahrenheit since 1895” is a key indicator of climate change’s physical impact (Target 13.1).
    • Policy and Legal Actions: The approval of a “$10 billion state climate bond” is a financial and policy indicator. The proposed rescission of the EPA’s “endangerment finding” and the International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion are indicators of institutional commitment (or lack thereof) to climate action (Target 13.2).
  • For SDG 15 (Life on Land):

    • Forest Density: The change in tree density from a historical average of “50 to 190 trees” per hectare to a current “200 to 775 trees per hectare” is a quantitative indicator of forest degradation and increased fire risk, relevant to sustainable forest management (Target 15.2).

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article. In this table, list the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), their corresponding targets, and the specific indicators identified in the article.

SDGs Targets Indicators
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being 3.9: Reduce deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.
  • Presence of “highly toxic pesticide ingredients” in drinking water.
  • Proposed “Microplastics Safety Act” to study health impacts (cancer, endocrine disruption).
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation 6.1: Achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
  • Rescission of a “$20m grant” intended to provide clean water to a pesticide-contaminated region.
6.3: Improve water quality by reducing pollution.
  • Request for “$45 million in funding” to combat cross-border sewage crisis.
6.4: Address water scarcity.
  • Projected drop in Lake Mead water levels to 1,038 feet by 2027.
  • State Water Project providing water for “27 million people” and “750,000 acres of farmland”.
6.5: Implement integrated water resources management, including transboundary cooperation.
  • Negotiations between seven states on the future of the Colorado River.
  • Agreement between counties, tribes, and environmental groups on the Potter Valley Project.
6.6: Protect and restore water-related ecosystems.
  • Removal of Scott Dam and Cape Horn Dam on the Eel River.
  • Completion of a “first descent” of the recently undammed Klamath River.
  • Average water clarity of “62 feet” in Lake Tahoe.
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy.
  • Approval of a “1,150 megawatts of solar energy and 4,600 megawatts-hours of battery storage” project.
  • Project designed to power “850,000 homes”.
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities.
  • Rescinded approval of a hydrogen plant in Stockton due to air pollution and greenhouse gas concerns under CEQA.
SDG 13: Climate Action 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards.
  • Average temperature rise in California of “2.5 degrees Fahrenheit since 1895”.
  • Construction of the Pajaro River levee to prevent catastrophic flooding.
13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.
  • Passage of a “$10 billion state climate bond”.
  • Proposed rescission of the EPA’s “endangerment finding” for greenhouse gases.
SDG 14: Life Below Water 14.1: Prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds.
  • Legal action by the California Coastal Commission against unpermitted pipeline work.
  • Federal and California proposals to target microplastics in the water supply.
SDG 15: Life on Land 15.2: Promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests.
  • Increase in forest density from a historical “50 to 190 trees per hectare” to a current “200 to 775 trees per hectare”.
  • Use of Indigenous fire management techniques to reduce wildfire risk.

Source: mavensnotebook.com

 

DAILY DIGEST, 7/24: White House rescinds $20m for clean water in rural CA; DWR: Securing statewide water supplies with Delta Conveyance Project; Marina voicing dispute over CalAm Water Desalination Plant; Lake Mead water projections raise red flags; – Maven’s Notebook

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