By GRETCHEN WILSO
The quality of Utah’s water won’t leave residents with a funny taste in their mouths.
According to Utah’s Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Water Quality, the state’s water quality has either improved or is staying the same in 80 percent of its streams.
Utah assesses the quality of its water to ensure its safety for drinking, fishing, boating and irrigation. Utah reports to Congress every two years on the status of the water.
For the 1994 report to Congress, the quality of 5,726 miles of rivers and streams in Utah were assessed. The state samples water every month to six weeks at over 100 monitoring stations across the state.
Mike Reichert, environmental manager at the Division of Water Quality, said compared to other states, Utah’s water is “really good.”
However, Reichert said surface run-off is a major water threat. Surface run-off occurs when particles from streets, cities, farmlands, metals, oil and grazing animals flow off the surface of the land into the water.
“Erosion, to a large extent, occurs naturally,” Reichert said. “But man’s influence can drastically accelerate a change in run-off patterns.”
Cities and farmers are required to hold permits in controlling amounts of pollution that reach water. The state provides technical assistance.
“Standards have to be maintained. We determine how much pollution has occurred, and sometimes we place limits on permitees. If a permit is violated, fines and enforcement action take place,” Reichert said.
But Reichert said 95 percent of permitees comply with the standards.
How does all this data on streams and lakes affect Utahns? The answer lies in Utah’s drinking water.
Much of the drinking water in Provo and Orem comes from Deer Creek Reservoir located about 25 miles from Provo.
The Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 requires extensive testing, operation and maintenance of drinking water to ensure public health.
Bart Simons, water sources manager for Provo, said Provo’s drinking water has never failed its weekly test.
“We’re required by the Environmental Protection Agency and the state to test the water. Other cities fail the test miserably. But there aren’t any problems inherent in Provo’s water system,” Simons said.
Reichert gave suggestions in keeping Utah’s water clean.
“We should keep our cars tuned because air pollution contributes to water pollution, properly dispose of household oils and chemicals and don’t overfertilize lawns.”
Reichert said Utahns should always be concerned with water quality.
“Take action,” he said. “Contact your water suppliers. People should know where their water comes from.”
