Utah DEQ News

Price River Oil Spill

A tanker truck carrying crude oil along Highway 6 rolled over on July 12, 2018, and released approximately 750-1,000 gallons of crude oil into the Price River. The Department of Environmental Quality joined emergency personnel at the scene to contain the spill and protect water quality in the Price River.

TRAX Trains Keep Air-Quality Research on Track

Air monitors placed on TRAX trains to measure pollutant levels provided University of Utah researchers with new insights into air-pollution patterns along the Wasatch Front.

Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Warning Advisory Issued for Scofield Reservoir (2018)

The Southeast Health Department issued a harmful algal bloom (HAB) Warning Advisory for Scofield Reservoir after Division of Water Quality (DWQ) samples showed that cyanobacteria cell counts and anatoxin-a levels exceeded health-based thresholds. The Madsen Bay Boat Ramp, Mountain View Boat Ramp, and Boy Scout Camp show the heaviest bloom activity.

Curb Your Enthusiasm: How to Recycle Right in Utah

Not all recycling is created equally. There are common household items that should never go in the general recycling bin. Here is what to do with the recyclable trash that doesn’t go to the curb.

Lincoln Beach/Marina at Utah Lake Closed Due to Harmful Algal Bloom

The Utah County Health Department (UCHD) closed the Lincoln Marina due to exceptionally high cyanobacteria cell-count concentrations. UCHD also posted Danger/Closure signs in the Lincoln Beach area of Utah Lake.

Swedes Access (Provo Bay), the State Park Day Use Area, and Sandy Beach areas continue to be under a Warning Advisory.

Harmful Algal Bloom Spreads in Utah Lake

The Utah County Health Department (UCHD) has issued a Warning Advisory for Utah Lake due to toxin levels that exceed health-based thresholds. UCHD advises people, their pets, and other animals to stay out of Provo Bay, Lincoln Marina, Sandy Beach, and the Utah Lake State Park Day Use area.

DEQ’s Division of Drinking Water Makes Sure You Can #TrustYourTap

Clean, accessible drinking water is a basic human need. Learn how Utah DEQ’s Division of Drinking Water ensures you can #TrustYourTap every day.

VW Settlement to Fund Cleaner Government Buses and Trucks

Gov. Gary R. Herbert approved the State of Utah’s plan to use $35 million in funds from a settlement with Volkswagen to purchase cleaner government-owned trucks and buses and expand electrical charging resources.

Keeping Tabs on HABs

Summertime means movie sequels. Star Wars, The Avengers and Jurassic Park return to theaters this year. Also making a comeback are harmful algal blooms.

Harmful Algal Bloom on Provo Bay: Warning Advisory Posted

The Utah County Health Department is warning the public to stay out of Provo Bay after DEQ sampling showed toxin and cyanobacteria levels that exceeded health-based thresholds. 

DEQ Scientists: Keeping Utahns Safe This Summer

For the Utah Department of Environmental Quality, summer is a time for field work: Testing for water pollution, cleaning up contaminated lands, or monitoring the air for ozone levels.

Jordan River: Monitoring Ecological Change with Smartphones and Social Media

Salt Lake County Watershed Planning & Restoration is using crowd-sourced photos to help with the ongoing monitoring of its stream restoration projects on the Jordan River. The county invites people to set their phone or camera in an angle bracket, take a photo, and post it to Twitter with a site-specific hashtag.

DEQ Values in Action: Keeping Clean Drinking Water Flowing

It’s easy to take drinking water for granted. At least in Utah. For the most part, you turn on the tap and clean water flows.

“Golden Spoke” Bike Ride Celebrates Completion of Jordan River Parkway

Come participate in the Golden Spoke Bike Ride on Saturday, June 2, a 100-mile trail celebration beginning at Rainbow Gardens at the mouth of Ogden Canyon(north) and Bridal Veil Falls in Provo Canyon (south). Ride the longest continuous paved urban trail west of the Mississippi River! Hope to see you there.

Ozone: EPA Designates Marginal Nonattainment Areas in Utah

The Wasatch Front and parts of the Uinta Basin were designated as Marginal nonattainment areas for ozone this week by the EPA. A Marginal designation is the least stringent classification for a nonattainment area and doesn’t require the state to submit a formal State Implementation Plan (SIP).

New Locations in Utah Added to Fish Advisory List

Utah added three new waterbodies to its Mercury Fish Consumption Advisory list after officials found elevated levels of mercury in fish tissue at Causey Reservoir, Minersville Reservoir, and Navajo Lake.