Division of Water Quality
2018 State of the Environment Report

The Division of Water Quality (DWQ) protects surface and groundwater through programs designed to protect, maintain, and enhance the quality of Utah’s waters. DWQ issues permits for discharges into waters of the state, works with stakeholders to reduce nonpoint pollution from agricultural operations and stormwater runoff, and uses scientific data to develop strategies to protect the water quality of Utah’s groundwater, lakes, rivers, and streams.

DWQ is particularly concerned about the impacts of growth on water quality. Utah’s population and economic growth carry the potential for significant impacts to the state’s water quality. To address these growth-related issues, DWQ has focused its protection efforts on the following areas:

• Nutrient pollution reduction
• Strategic investment in stormwater, wastewater, and agricultural water infrastructure through water-quality financial assistance programs
• Nonpoint source pollution reduction
• Spill and harmful algal bloom (HAB) response
• Stormwater management

DWQ also works to improve operational efficiencies through increased online permitting, ongoing development of a centralized database for onsite wastewater treatment data, enhanced spill-response mechanisms, and electronic report submissions.