Water in Utah: Part 3 - Deidre Beck from DEQ's Division of Drinking Water on the importance of securing safe drinking water in Utah

In this episode, we talk with Deidre Beck from the Utah Department of Environmental Quality.  Deidre works in the Division of Drinking Water as an Environmental Scientist. 

This episode was recorded on January 25th, 2023, and concludes our three-part series on water here in Utah.  You can listen to all of our episodes, including the water series, wherever you find your podcast. 

Deidre explains how her division has primacy over the Utah Safe Drinking Water Act.

Her division is also tasked with conducting regular sanitary surveys for every public water system in Utah - ensuring these systems meet water quality standards

She explains how Utah obtains much of its drinking water via surface water - and how important the Provo River is to drinking water along the Wasatch Front.

Deidre also explains the concept of ridgeline authority, which gives some of the larger cities (such as Salt Lake City) the right to establish ordinances in areas outside of their jurisdiction. This ridgeline authority allows them to protect public drinking water in these zones.

We also talk a bit about the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and how the Division of Drinking Water created a map to show disadvantaged areas, so the water suppliers in these areas can apply for hardship funding to improve the water systems there.

So, take a moment to sit back, and enjoy the show.

Additional Resources

• DEQ’s Interactive Map
• Hardship Funding Criteria for Utah Public Water Systems map
• Drinking Water Sampling Results in Utah

The Utah Geospatial Resource Center | gis.utah.gov