Utah DEQ News

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

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

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

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.

Air Shed Grant Targets Wood Stoves

A $9.5 million targeted airshed grant from the EPA will provide funding to Utah DEQ to help residents convert their wood stoves or fireplaces to cleaner options.

“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).

fish advisory

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.

Asbestos in Your Home: Precaution, Not Panic

Asbestos was once considered a “miracle material” for its heat-resistant properties, but we now know that airborne asbestos fibers can cause respiratory damage. Learn what to do if you find asbestos in your home, and remember, removal isn’t necessarily your best option.

Earth Day Every Day at DEQ

It’s pretty amazing that we set aside a day every year to honor the Earth and promote its protection. Did you know that over 193 countries participate in this celebration of our planet? According to the Earth Day Network, Earth Day is “the largest secular holiday in the world – celebrated by more than 1 billion people every year.”

Recycling: This Earth Day, Let’s Get Back to Basics

Wondering what you can and can’t put in your blue recycling bin? Guest blogger Sophia Nicholas from Salt Lake City Sustainability lets you know how you can reduce, reuse, and recycle right.by reducing your consumption of disposable items, reuse what you can, and then recycle, but in the right way.

Answers to Your Questions about Greenhouse Gas, Tier 3 Vehicle Standards

By Glade Sowards On April 2, 2018, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced its intention to revise the model year (MY) 2022-2025 light-duty vehicle GHG standards. Division of Air Quality (DAQ) staff received questions from the public about how this action might affect air quality in Utah and state efforts to meet federal air-quality standards …