Bennet, Heinrich, Hickenlooper, Neguse, Moore Introduce Bill to Expand and Improve Access to Clean Water in Tribal Communities – U.S. Senator Michael Bennet (.gov)

Report on the Tribal Access to Clean Water Act and its Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary: The Water Crisis in U.S. Tribal Communities

A significant legislative effort, the Tribal Access to Clean Water Act, has been introduced to address the critical infrastructure deficit affecting Native American communities. This report details the proposed legislation and analyzes its profound alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). The initiative responds to a severe and persistent crisis, highlighted by the following data:

• An estimated 48% to 50% of households on Native American reservations lack access to reliable water sources, clean drinking water, or adequate sanitation facilities.
• According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Native American households are 19 times more likely than white households to lack indoor plumbing.

This disparity represents a fundamental challenge to public health, economic development, and social equity, directly impeding progress on multiple SDGs.

Primary Objective: Advancing Sustainable Development Goal 6

The Tribal Access to Clean Water Act is fundamentally designed to accelerate the achievement of SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation. The bill directly targets the core tenets of SDG 6 by seeking to provide universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water and sanitation for Tribal communities.

• Target 6.1: Universal Access to Safe Drinking Water: The legislation aims to close the gap for the nearly half of Tribal households that currently lack access to clean and reliable water supplies.
• Target 6.2: Access to Adequate Sanitation and Hygiene: By funding sanitation facilities construction, the bill addresses the severe lack of adequate sanitation services, a critical public health and dignity issue.
• Target 6.A: International Cooperation and Capacity-Building: The bill’s emphasis on providing technical assistance and support for operations and maintenance is crucial for building local capacity and ensuring the long-term sustainability of water systems, a key principle of SDG 6.

Interconnected Impacts on Broader Sustainable Development Goals

The consequences of water scarcity extend beyond sanitation, affecting a wide range of development indicators. The proposed act therefore contributes to several other SDGs:

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: Stakeholders note a direct link between “water poverty” and negative health outcomes. Lack of access to clean water is associated with a higher incidence of respiratory diseases, gastrointestinal infections, diabetes, and cancer, making water infrastructure a critical public health intervention.
2. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities: The legislation is a direct measure to combat the stark inequality in basic services between Native American communities and other U.S. households. By fulfilling the federal government’s trust and treaty obligations, it aims to create more equitable living conditions.
3. SDG 1 & SDG 4 (No Poverty & Quality Education): The lack of reliable water access is a recognized barrier to economic development and education. Addressing this foundational need is a prerequisite for fostering economic opportunities and ensuring consistent school attendance.
4. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The bill is framed as an effort to uphold the federal government’s trust responsibility to Native American Tribes. By addressing historical neglect and investing in Tribal independence and governance capabilities, the act supports the development of effective and accountable institutions.

Legislative Framework and Funding Provisions

The Tribal Access to Clean Water Act proposes a multi-agency approach to channel significant investment into water infrastructure. The key provisions are designed to address a substantial backlog of projects and remove barriers to federal assistance.

Key Funding Authorizations Over Five Years:

• Indian Health Service (IHS):
  • $2.5 billion for community water and sanitation facilities construction.
  • $500 million for operation and maintenance assistance.
  • $150 million for technical assistance.
• U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development:
  • $100 million per year increase for the Community Facilities Grant and Loan Program.
  • $30 million per year specifically for technical assistance to ensure equitable access for Native communities.
• Bureau of Reclamation:
  • $90 million for the Native American Affairs Technical Assistance Program.

This funding structure builds upon investments previously secured in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and is revised to enhance technical assistance, which is critical for the effective implementation of infrastructure projects.

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

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – This is the central theme of the article. The text focuses on the lack of access to clean water, reliable water sources, and adequate sanitation in Native American Tribal communities and introduces the “Tribal Access to Clean Water Act” to address this issue directly.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – The article explicitly links the lack of clean water to negative health outcomes. It states, “Lack of access to drinking water negatively impacts health” and mentions a higher incidence of diseases like “respiratory disease, gastrointestinal infections, diabetes, and cancer” in communities experiencing ‘water poverty’.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – The article highlights a significant disparity, stating that “Native American households are 19 times more likely than white households to lack indoor plumbing.” The entire legislative effort is aimed at reducing this specific inequality and ensuring Tribal communities have the same access to basic services as other Americans.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – The article addresses the need for basic services and infrastructure, which is a core component of sustainable communities. The lack of “reliable water sources, clean drinking water, or adequate sanitation” represents a failure to provide basic services to these communities, which the proposed bill aims to rectify through investment in “water infrastructure projects.”

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

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

1. Target 6.1: By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all. The article directly addresses this by stating that “Half of Households on Native American Reservations Lack Access to Reliable Water Sources, Clean Drinking Water” and the proposed bill aims to “dramatically expand access to clean water in Tribal communities.”
2. Target 6.2: By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all. The article mentions that “48 percent of homes on tribal lands lack access to clean drinking water or sanitation services,” and the bill increases funding for “water and sanitation facilities construction.”
3. Target 6.b: Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management. The article quotes the Chairman of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, who states the bill is “a critical step toward increasing Tribal independence and governance capabilities,” indicating support for local community involvement.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

1. Target 3.3: By 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases. The article connects water poverty to a “higher incidence of… gastrointestinal infections,” which are often water-borne diseases. Improving water access is a direct measure to combat these diseases.
2. Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination. By aiming to provide “clean, safe water,” the legislation directly contributes to reducing illnesses caused by contaminated water.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

1. Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status. The article focuses on a specific ethnic group, Native Americans, who face a “nationwide disparity in access to a basic ingredient of life.” The bill is designed to reduce this inequality and promote inclusion by providing essential services.
2. Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard. The article highlights that “Native American households are 19 times more likely than white households to lack indoor plumbing.” The “Tribal Access to Clean Water Act” is the “appropriate legislation” proposed to reduce this inequality of outcome.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

1. Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums. The lack of access to clean water and sanitation is a failure to provide “basic services.” The bill’s investment in “water infrastructure” and “sanitation facilities” directly addresses this target for Tribal communities.

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

• Proportion of population with access to clean water and sanitation: The article provides a baseline indicator by stating, “An estimated 48 percent of homes on tribal lands lack access to clean drinking water or sanitation services.” Progress can be measured by tracking the reduction in this percentage over time.
• Disparity in access to basic services: The statistic that “Native American households are 19 times more likely than white households to lack indoor plumbing” serves as a key indicator of inequality. A reduction in this ratio would indicate progress towards Target 10.3.
• Financial investment in water infrastructure: The article specifies the financial commitments of the bill, which can be used as input indicators. These include “$2.5 billion for community facilities,” “$150 million for technical assistance,” and “$500 million for operation and maintenance assistance” over five years for the Indian Health Service, among other funds. Tracking the disbursement and use of these funds measures the implementation of the policy.
• Incidence of water-borne diseases: The article mentions that “gastrointestinal infections” are linked to water poverty. Health data tracking the incidence of such diseases in Tribal communities can serve as an impact indicator for both SDG 3 and SDG 6.

4. SDGs, Targets and Indicators Analysis

Source: bennet.senate.gov