Aquifer Classification: Utah Ground Water Quality Protection Program

Aquifer Classification Process

When sufficient information is available, entire aquifers or parts of aquifers may be classified or reclassified by the Utah Water Quality Board according to ground water quality of the aquifer.

Petition Requirements

Any person may petition the Water Quality Board for classification of an aquifer, and the petition must include the following information:

Factual data supporting the proposed classification;
A description of the proposed ground waters to be classified or reclassified;
Potential contamination sources;
Ground water flow direction;
Current beneficial uses of the ground water; and
Location of all water wells in the area to be classified or reclassified.

Parts of an aquifer may be classified differently. Boundaries between different ground water class areas will be based on hydrogeologic properties, existing ground water quality data, and for Class IB and IC, current use of the ground water. For definitions of different ground water classes, please refer to the tab GW Classes and Protection Levels.

A petition for classification or reclassification must be performed under the direction, and bear the seal, of a professional engineer or professional geologist.

The petitioner requesting reclassification will provide sufficient information to determine if reclassification is in the best interest of the beneficial users.

Public Comment

After a technical review of the petition has been conducted by the Division of Water Quality, one or more public hearings will be held to receive comment on classification and reclassification proposals.

Planning Tool

Ground water classifications are intended to be used as a planning tool by local governmental agencies. Ground water classifications do not mandate any specific actions for local planning and zoning, nor obligate local governments to perform any technical assessments or monitoring, nor restrict existing or future land use.