West Paris Residents Face Unsafe Drinking Water
WEST PARIS (WGME) – West Paris residents haven’t had safe drinking water for weeks, and it’s unclear when the water will be safe to drink again.
Boil Water Order Issued
The state’s website states that a boil water order was issued for the West Paris Water District on April 17. This order was issued due to inadequate protection of finished water in the reservoir from natural elements.
Water Contamination Concerns
A site visit conducted by the Maine CDC’s Drinking Water Program revealed that the cover on the reservoir had holes that could allow for water contamination. Additionally, it was discovered that the chemical pump responsible for pH adjustment was not functioning.
“The cover of the reservoir has tears and holes in it,” said West Paris Town Manager Joy Downing. “From my understanding, it’s been like that for a very long time. But Maine Rural Water and the Maine Drinking Water Program were made aware of it and they came out, and as a precaution, they said we need to do a boil water order effective immediately.”
Lack of Communication
The boil notice was posted at the West Paris town hall two weeks ago, but many residents claim they were not informed.
“They didn’t go to anyone’s door, send out any letters or anything at all,” said West Paris Resident Miranda Rego. “They’re just expecting people to look on the website.”
The West Paris Water District sent out an email Wednesday evening with the official notice, two weeks after the order had been issued.
Guidance for Residents
The order instructs residents to boil any water before consumption. This includes drinking water, water used for brushing teeth, making ice cubes, and washing food. The full list of guidance from the state can be found here.
“Imagine having to boil your water every time you have to wash your dishes,” said West Paris Resident Omar Pollock. “It prolongs the whole process.”
Lack of Information
The West Paris Water District is not a part of the town, and residents claim they have not received any specifics about what’s wrong with the water or when the problem will be fixed.
Until they receive answers, some residents have decided not to pay their water bills.
“I’m hoping more people will do it and that will hopefully catch their eye,” said West Paris resident Ben Millet. “They are not going to shut everybody’s water off if we stop paying for it when they’ve got all these issues. So, I hope more people will send them a message that they need to give us just some word.”
Efforts to Resolve the Issue
It’s unclear when the issues with the reservoir will be fixed, although the Maine Drinking Water Program states that they are in contact with the West Paris Water District to work towards a solution.
According to the Department of Health and Human Services, in order to lift the boil water order, the West Paris Water District will have to:
- Install a chlorine feed to disinfect the water
- Fix the pump for pH adjustment
- Have a third party inspect the reservoir
A spokesperson for the department estimates that the boil water order will remain in place for several more weeks.
CBS13 reached out to the West Paris Water District, but did not receive any answers to their questions.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
The article highlights the issue of unsafe drinking water in West Paris, which directly relates to SDG 6, which aims to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
- Target 6.3: 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 mentions that the residents of West Paris have been under a boil water order due to inadequate protection of finished water in the reservoir from natural elements. This indicates a lack of safe and affordable drinking water, which aligns with Target 6.1. Additionally, the article mentions the need to fix the reservoir and install a chlorine feed to disinfect the water, which relates to improving water quality and reducing pollution, aligning with Target 6.3.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator 6.1.1: Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services.
- Indicator 6.3.2: Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality.
The article does not explicitly mention any indicators. However, the issue of unsafe drinking water and the need to improve water quality in the reservoir can be measured using Indicator 6.1.1, which assesses the proportion of the population using safely managed drinking water services. Additionally, Indicator 6.3.2 can be used to measure progress towards improving water quality by assessing the proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality.
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation | Target 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all. | Indicator 6.1.1: Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services. |
| SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation | Target 6.3: 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. | Indicator 6.3.2: Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality. |
The table summarizes the findings from analyzing the article, identifying the relevant SDGs, targets, and indicators related to the issues discussed. It highlights that SDG 6 is addressed in the article, specifically Target 6.1 and Target 6.3, with corresponding indicators 6.1.1 and 6.3.2.
Copyright: Dive into this article, curated with care by SDG Investors Inc. Our advanced AI technology searches through vast amounts of data to spotlight how we are all moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals. While we own the rights to this content, we invite you to share it to help spread knowledge and spark action on the SDGs.
Fuente: wgme.com
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