Department of Environmental Quality

About DEQ

Utah's Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), made up of five divisions, works to safeguard the health and prosperity of Utah's residents by protecting our state's air, land, and water. We implement state and federal environmental laws through a balanced and science-based regulatory approach, working with communities and businesses to ensure a safe and healthy environment for everyone.

Our mission

Protecting and improving Utah’s air, land, and water while supporting communities and growth statewide.

Our vision

Ensuring clean air, land, and water for a healthy, prosperous, and sustainable Utah.

Our values

We are committed to our employees and to providing exceptional service to the people of Utah. Our work is guided by four core values:

  • Exceptional service
    As public servants dedicated to the people of Utah and our stakeholders, we are focused on problem-solving. We engage stakeholders in a professional, responsive, and fair manner.

  • Commitment to employees
    We consider our dedicated employees to be our greatest asset. We treat one another with respect, promote professional development, and celebrate both individual and collective contributions.

  • Credibility & trust
    We build public trust by demonstrating our care, showcasing our expertise, and making decisions grounded in science and law. We act with integrity and ensure that accurate, reliable information is accessible to everyone.

  • Continuous improvement
    We are responsible for taxpayer dollars. We enhance our performance and implement innovations that improve quality, efficiency, and effectiveness.

How we operate

Our role in state government

Utah's Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and Department of Agriculture and Food (DAF) are separate state agencies with distinct missions.

  • DEQ's mission is to safeguard public health and quality of life by protecting and improving Utah's air, land, and water.

  • DNR's mission is to manage and protect the state's natural resources, such as state parks, wildlife, and water rights.

  • DAF's mission is to support the development of Utah’s agriculture and food industries, serve as a steward of our natural resources, safeguard public health, protect consumers, and ensure a quality food supply.

Our funding

Our work is funded through a mix of state General Funds, federal grants, and dedicated fees from permitted industries.

Our governance and rulemaking

Environmental protection in Utah follows a clear structure. First, the Utah Legislature passes state laws that provide broad legal authority. Based on that authority, governor-appointed citizen boards adopt specific environmental rules. Our five divisions then implement and enforce these rules.

See all our laws and rules

Our divisions

DEQ is comprised of five specialized divisions that work together to protect Utah's environment.

Division of Air Quality

The Division of Air Quality works to ensure that the air in Utah meets health and visibility standards established under the federal Clean Air Act. This includes monitoring air quality conditions, developing plans to reduce pollution, and issuing permits for stationary sources of air pollutants.

Division of Drinking Water

The Division of Drinking Water ensures the safety of Utah's drinking water by regulating the state's public water systems. The division supports the design and safe operation of these systems by enforcing state and federal EPA regulations, reviewing engineering plans, and certifying water system operators.

Division of Environmental Response and Remediation

The Division of Environmental Response and Remediation protects public health by cleaning up chemically contaminated sites and ensuring that underground storage tanks are managed properly. The division oversees cleanups under CERCLA (Superfund), manages the state's Voluntary Cleanup and Brownfields programs, and runs the 24-hour environmental spills line.

Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control

The Division of Waste Management and Radiation Control ensures the proper management of solid and hazardous waste and protects Utahns from the harmful effects of radiation. This work includes issuing permits for waste facilities, conducting compliance inspections, and providing oversight for radioactive materials and waste.

Division of Water Quality

The Division of Water Quality protects, maintains, and enhances the quality of Utah's surface and groundwater to support public health and designated beneficial uses. This involves developing water quality standards, issuing discharge permits to facilities, and monitoring the health of Utah's waters.

Our leadership and organization

DEQ is led by an Executive Director's Office that provides departmental leadership and support.

Our presence across Utah

District engineers and local health departments

To provide responsive, local support across the state, DEQ partners with Utah's Local Health Departments. Our District Engineers work directly from these local offices to assist with all matters concerning DEQ, providing a crucial connection to the communities they serve.

This partnership is especially important in Utah's rural counties, ensuring all residents and businesses have direct access to DEQ expertise and support.