Category: Water Quality

Across Utah, development pressures have placed groundwater protection and local development interests at odds with one another, especially in non-sewered areas where onsite wastewater systems (OWS), otherwise known as septic tanks, are the preferred method for addressing wastewater. Protecting groundwater quality is critical because wells and springs are vulnerable to contamination. The Utah Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has developed

The Utah Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has been tasked with establishing baseline conditions for stormwater and air quality within the statutorily defined area of Utah Inland Port (UIP) Authority. In addition, DEQ has been a part of land remediation and clean-up efforts at the North Temple Landfill Redevelopment site. Data collected by DEQ through 2024 will be used to

Welcome to the Wastewater Exam Preparation Information and Suggestions page. Find links to sample questions, definitions, study guides, ongoing training, and more. For help, contact the Division of Water Quality. Water Professionals International (WPI) Utah’s Wastewater Operator Certification Program uses standardized exams produced by Water Professionals International (WPI), formerly known as the Association of Boards of Certification (ABC). These exams are developed

Welcome to the Water Quality Certification page where you will find resources for Onsite Systems Professionals and Wastewater Operators. Onsite Systems Professional Certification Onsite Systems Professional Certification is required for any person who designs, inspects, or maintains underground wastewater disposal systems that are self-contained treatment and disposal systems such as septic systems or large underground disposal systems, or who conducts percolation

Read about the wastewater operator certification grandfather clause. For help, contact the Utah Division of Water Quality. You must have applied for initial certification under this program before 12/31/94 to be considered eligible for a grandfather certificate. You can obtain a grandfather certificate which is valid only at the wastewater works at which you are employed if you meet the following

Find detailed information about registration options for Utah wastewater operator certification exams. Read about new fees implemented July 1, 2026 About the exam Each wastewater operator certification exam is composed of 100 multiple-choice questions covering the Need-to-Know Criteria as itemized on WPI’s Website. The current version of the wastewater treatment and collection exams has 110 questions, but only 100 pre-selected questions will

Learn how to earn and keep current a wastewater operator certification.Certification process Application Forms Exam applications, renewal applications, change in status applications, reciprocity applications, citizenship/alien ID certification Fees New certification fees were approved by the legislature and will be effective July 1, 2026 Becoming a wastewater operator How to become a Wastewater Operator in Utah (booklet) Reciprocity info – certification

View and download supporting documentation and products for each phase of the Utah Lake Water Quality Study (ULWQS).▸Stakeholder Process & Public OutreachSee DocumentsThe ULWQS is guided by a formal stakeholder process. Related documents describe the process, operating procedures for relevant committees, and strategies for public engagement.▸Phase 1 – Data Gathering & CharacterizationSee DocumentsDocuments from the data gathering and characterization phase (2015

Utah Department of Environmental Quality Wastewater Discharge Permit Guide. Background If your facility produces, treats, disposes of, or otherwise discharges waste water, you may need a wastewater discharge permit from the Utah Division of Water Quality or the Division of Drinking Water. See Rule R317-8. Utah Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (UPDES) for more details. Facilities that produce, treat, dispose of, or otherwise discharge waste water from a

Utah Department of Environmental Quality Wastewater Certification Permit Guide. Onsite Systems Professional Certification is required for any person who designs, inspects, or maintains underground wastewater disposal systems (defined in Utah Administrative Code R317-4, R317-5 and R317-11) that are self-contained treatment and disposal systems such as septic systems or large underground disposal systems, or who conducts percolation tests or soil evaluations for underground wastewater disposal systems. Wastewater

Utah Department of Environmental Quality Indirect Discharges to Municipal Sanitary Sewers Permit Guide. A State permit is needed to discharge into sewers if the municipality or sewer district does not have a State approved pre-treatment program or authority to issue its own permits.Does your facility discharge into a municipal sewer system or sewer district? YES: Contact the Utah Division of Water Quality (801)

The Utah Department of Environmental Quality Storm Water Permit Guide will help you determine whether or not you need a permit and where to find resources. The Storm Water Program requires management practices to ensure that pollutants are not transported in surface runoff. The program addresses runoff from construction activities that disturb one or more acres of land; certain industrial facilities depending

Utah Department of Environmental Quality Ground Water Permit Guide. Any facility that discharges, or may discharge, pollutants to ground water needs a ground water permit. This includes land application of wastes; waste storage pits, piles, landfills, and dumps; liquid waste storage facilities at large animal feeding operations; mining, milling, metallurgical, and mineral extraction operations (including heap leach facilities); wastewater pits, ponds, and

Utah Department of Environmental Quality Underground Injection Control Permit Guide. The Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program protects underground sources of drinking water (USDWs) from contamination by the subsurface emplacement of fluids through injection wells. The UIC Program prohibits injection of fluid containing any contaminant if the presence of that contaminant may cause a violation of any primary drinking water regulation or which

Still have questions about Water Quality permitting? Here are links to related topics and useful resources. Contact us with concerns or questions. Contact DWQ A list of DWQ employees listed by specialty area. Financial Assistance Information on DWQ’s Clean Water State Revolving fund Loan Program. Public Participation Public comment is a prerequisite to challenging permitting decisions. Records Request Form (GRAMA) A form

The 2022 Integrated Report (IR) assesses the quality of the surface waters in the state and identifies waterbodies that are not meeting water quality standards. These standards support the designated beneficial uses that protect water quality for drinking water, recreation, aquatic life, and agriculture. Waterbodies that do not meet one or more of their beneficial uses are classified as impaired in the