Last week, DEQ released its annual State of the Environment Report. This end-of-year report provides a comprehensive look at agency activities and initiatives in 2018 that improved Utah’s environment and quality of life and created new economic opportunities.
Read MoreDWQ is committed to continuous improvement to increase performance and implement innovations that advance quality, efficiency, and effectiveness. The division has expanded the SUCCESS Framework process from the management to the staff level to generate more improvement ideas and opportunities. Paperless MWPP surveys The Municipal Wastewater Planning Program (MWPP) uses an annual survey to collect …
Read MoreNonpoint-source (NPS) pollution can come from a number of sources, including streets, parking lots, agricultural lands, and construction sites. NPS pollution can include: Excess fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides from agricultural lands Sediment from erosion or construction activities Bacteria and nutrients from livestock, pets, and septic systems The NPS program provides funding to improve the water …
Read MoreUnder the Clean Water Act, DWQ is required to protect the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of state waters. The Monitoring Section monitors all surface waters, including lakes and reservoirs, streams (wadeable and non-wadeable), wetlands, and some groundwater to assess the quality of these water resources so DWQ can protect them for their beneficial uses, …
Read MoreThe Groundwater Protection Section administers two primary programs to protect the quality of Utah’s groundwater resources: Federal Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program State Groundwater Quality Protection Program The UIC Program protects underground sources of drinking water by reviewing and approving numerous small-scale injection activities such as stormwater dry wells, groundwater remediation wells, and domestic underground …
Read MoreRapid growth in Utah has led to increased urbanization and the conversion of undeveloped land to impervious surfaces such as roads, parking lots, rooftops, and driveways. This change in land use has resulted in an increase in the volume of stormwater runoff. Rainwater and snowmelt water used to percolate into the soil. Now, it runs …
Read MoreUtah Lake is one of the largest natural freshwater lakes in the western United States. Snowpack runoff from the Wasatch Mountains and water from numerous small tributaries are the primary sources for water to the lake. Primary inflows include the American Fork River, the Provo River, Mill Race Creek, Hobble Creek, the Spanish Fork River, …
Read MoreWater-quality improvements can carry significant costs, which is why DWQ provides low-cost and no-cost funding for wastewater infrastructure and water-quality projects in the state. The Clean Water State Revolving Loan Fund (SRF) receives, on average, a combined $8 million each year from state and federal funding, with an additional $15 million, on average, from loan …
Read MoreExcess nutrient pollution in waterbodies can lead to harmful algal blooms (HABs), more accurately known as harmful cyanobacteria blooms (HCBs). These blooms occur when normally occurring cyanobacteria in the water multiply quickly to form visible colonies or blooms. HABs sometimes produce potent cyanotoxins that can pose serious health risks to people, pets, livestock, and wildlife and harm …
Read MoreExcess nitrogen and phosphorus in waterbodies, known as nutrient pollution, is a growing problem in Utah and across the country. Nutrients are linked to cyanobacterial growth, including harmful algal blooms, and can lower dissolved-oxygen levels in waterbodies, adversely affecting aquatic life. This pollution comes from a variety of sources, including wastewater treatment plants, nonpoint source …
Read MoreThe 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 …
Read MoreThe Division of Drinking Water (DDW) is responsible for implementing programs that ensure safe and reliable drinking water throughout the state. Programs include: Source protection for drinking water supplies Financial assistance for construction or upgrades to water systems Engineering plan review Implementation of EPA water-quality and monitoring requirements Community assistance with contamination issues Site inspections …
Read MoreThe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identifies contaminants in drinking water and sets regulatory limits for certain contaminants as required by the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). EPA has delegated primary enforcement responsibility (primacy) for Utah public water systems to the Division of Drinking Water. DDW works with public water systems to ensure they meet the federal drinking-water standards under the …
Read MoreDDW administers two financial assistance programs: the state revolving fund (SRF) and the federal state revolving fund (DWSRF). The state revolving fund program provides funding to political subdivisions such as cities, towns, and districts. Federal SRF funds are available for privately and publicly owned community water systems and nonprofit, non-community water systems. State SRF assistance helps water systems plan, …
Read MoreWater systems that serve 25 or more people for more than 60-days annually or have 15 or more residential connections year-round are subject to Utah Public Drinking Water Rules and must obtain a permit known as an approval. DDW regulates over 1,000 public water systems in the state, and the Permitting Section ensures these water systems comply with …
Read MoreDDW works with water-system operators and public-health officials when contaminants threaten drinking-water systems or sources. This spring and summer, DDW provided technical, engineering, and public-health advice when floods, fires, and E. coli contamination jeopardized drinking water supplies. Drinking water contamination can occur when: Harmful bacteria enter the water Accidents, power outages, or heavy water use …
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Air Quality
Drinking Water
Environmental Response and Remediation
Waste Management and Radiation Control
Water Quality
Executive Director’s Office