FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 13, 2004
Contact:
Walt Baker, Division of Water Quality, (801) 538-6088
(Salt Lake City, Utah) – Walter Baker has been selected to serve as acting director of the Utah Division of Water Quality and acting executive secretary of the Utah Water Quality Board. His selection follows the resignation of Don Ostler, who accepted a position with the Upper Colorado River Commission. Baker manages the division’s Engineering and Water Quality Management Branch.
“Walt has extensive knowledge and experience managing water quality issues,” said DEQ Executive Director Dianne Nielson. “We are fortunate to have Walt’s leadership abilities and expertise moving the division forward.”
Baker began his career with DEQ’s Division of Water Quality in 1984 as an environmental engineer. In 1988 he became the manager of the division’s Construction Assistance Section. He was then promoted in 2003 to manager of the Engineering and Water Quality Management Branch. Before DEQ, he worked for five years at a consulting engineering firm in Vernal.
“The quality of our water is key in determining our future quality of life,” Baker said. “I believe in a well-informed and involved public, collaboration for the common good and resolve to do what’s best and right.”
Baker has been widely recognized for his service to protect and improve water quality. He recently received the Water Environment Association of Utah’s Grant K. Borg Extraordinary Service Award. In 2000 he received the Water Environment Federation’s Arthur Sidney Bedell Award. The Utah Rural Water Association named him a “Friend of Rural Water” in 1998.
His leadership experiences include serving as president of the Water Environment Association of Utah in 1998 and on the association’s Board of Directors for eight years. He has been a committee chair for the last five years. He recently completed a one-year term as chair of the national State/EPA Revolving Fund Workgroup.
Baker participates in a number of water quality management committees, including the Utah Wastewater Operator Certification Council and the Upper Colorado Basin Salinity Control Forum. Baker is a registered professional engineer in Utah. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in civil and environmental engineering in 1979 from Utah State University.