By Bailey Toolson, Guest Blogger DEQ invites guest bloggers to share their thoughts on issues that impact our environment. We appreciate their insights and the opportunity to broaden the conversation with others in the community. As part of the annual Clear the Air Challenge, the Utah Clean Air Partnership (UCAIR) and the Department of Environmental …
Read MoreInterview with Ben Holcomb If you’ve ever recreated at one of Utah’s lakes or reservoirs, you’ve probably seen areas where greenish scum was floating on the water or collecting on the shore. What you probably didn’t know — at least until this past week with the closure of Utah Lake — was that this bright-green water …
Read MoreBy: Michael Grange One thing we can all be certain of, stuff happens. And when that stuff happens to your drinking water system, whether it’s expected or unexpected, sometimes you just aren’t quite ready for it. If the solution to the stuff that happens has a financial component to it, you may really not be …
Read MoreBy Donna Kemp Spangler Wildfire season is in full swing, most notably in central and southern Utah, where firefighters continue to battle several stubborn wildfires. Although individuals along the Wasatch Front may not be directly impacted by the wildfires burning south of here, the smoke from fires can have a serious impact on health. As …
Read MoreBy Jeff Ostermiller Sometimes it’s hard for me to keep my inner cynic in check. This is particularly true during presidential elections, when the divisive nature of our political system makes compromise among differing viewpoints seem impossible. In contrast to presidential politics, our collaboration on Willard Spur embraced divergent views to help find solutions to …
Read MoreBy Bailey Toolson, Guest Blogger DEQ invites guest bloggers to share their thoughts on issues that impact our environment. We appreciate their insights and the opportunity to broaden the conversation with others in the community. The Division of Air Quality often writes and revises air quality rules to help reduce pollution and improve the air …
Read MoreBy Lynn de Freitas, Guest Blogger DEQ invites guest bloggers to share their thoughts on issues that impact our environment. We appreciate their insights and the opportunity to broaden the conversation with others in the community. One of the speakers characterized it as a “room full of bridge builders.” Another remarked, “It’s harder to fix …
Read MoreBy: Lisa Gelino-Titcomb When you think of air pollution, you automatically think of diesel-engine fumes, smokestacks from industrial plants, or car exhaust. You usually don’t think of a charbroiled hamburger. While it may be hard to imagine the all-beef patty as an environmental nuisance, previous findings show that the commercial charbroilers used to cook hamburgers …
Read MoreBy: Utah DEQ Communications Office May is Bike Month, and DEQ is celebrating by showcasing stories about how people are choosing bicycles as an environmentally friendly form of transportation. If you’ve seen folks pedaling around downtown Salt Lake City on green-colored bikes, you know that trees, flowers, and lawns aren’t the only green things that …
Read MoreBy Donna Kemp Spangler Utah Gov. Gary Herbert has challenged state agencies to “Move More at Work” in an effort to support health and wellbeing in the workplace and to recognize National Employee Health and Fitness Month, the state’s public health council is sponsoring a health challenge that recognizes the top three state agencies with …
Read MoreBy Chamonix Larsen May is Bike Month, and DEQ is celebrating by inviting guest bloggers to share their thoughts on choosing bicycles as an environmentally friendly form of transportation. We appreciate their insights and the opportunity to broaden the conversation with others in our community. Do you ever dream you can fly? Do you dream …
Read MoreInterview with Jon Black Stericycle has submitted a permit application to the Division of Air Quality (DAQ) for a proposed hospital, medical, and infectious waste incinerator (HMIWI) in Tooele, Utah, to replace Stericycle’s North Salt Lake facility. We spoke with DAQ environmental engineer Jon Black about the proposed permit. Why is Stericycle relocating to Tooele …
Read MoreBy Jeff Studenka Have you ever wondered if going solar is right for you? Converting to solar power from residential electrical power isn’t an easy decision, but from my experience it’s a good one. After doing research and discussing our options with others who have gone through the process, our initial reservations were quickly replaced …
Read MoreBy Donna Kemp Spangler Spring is in the air, and for me it means a chance to declutter, refresh, and let the sunshine brighten my surroundings. For many of us that involves spring cleaning – dusting the blinds, washing the floors, organizing our pantry, closets or garage, and perhaps putting a fresh coat of paint …
Read MoreBy Michael Grange In a state where approximately 75 percent of the community water systems serve less than 3,300 people and 50 percent serve less than 500 people, relationships are everything. The annual Rural Water Association of Utah conference provides Division of Drinking Water (DDW) staff with a unique opportunity to build relationships by working …
Read MoreBy Donna Kemp Spangler Perhaps one of the highlights of the 2016 Legislature for the Utah Department of Environmental Quality was a last minute appropriation of $6 million for a new technical support center for air monitoring, water testing and other needs. For years, DEQ sought funding for a new building closer to its headquarters …
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Air Quality
Drinking Water
Environmental Response and Remediation
Waste Management and Radiation Control
Water Quality
Executive Director’s Office