What is the mission of the Utah Department of Environmental Quality?
The Utah Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) mission is to safeguard human health and quality of life by protecting and enhancing the environment.
This mission is achieved through:
- Careful, open, and fair consideration for the concerns of all Utahns
- Excellence in science, communications, and operations
- Timely, effective, and consistent response to all customers
- Active promotion of pollution prevention
In addition, DEQ values quality of life, integrity, commitment to people, leadership, teamwork, and service.
What are the divisions within DEQ?
Operating under the umbrella of DEQ are the following divisions:
- Division of Air Quality protects public health and the environment from the harmful effects of air pollution.
- Division of Drinking Water oversees the State’s public drinking water systems and protects the public against waterborne health risks.
- Division of Environmental Response and Remediation implements waste cleanup plans and coordinates DEQ’s response to spills and accidents that threaten the environment.
- Division of Solid and Hazardous Waste ensures proper management of solid and hazardous waste.
- Division of Radiation Control protects Utah citizens by requiring the lowest possible exposures to radiation.
- Division of Water Quality protects surface and ground water quality to allow beneficial uses and to protect public health.
What are DEQ’s operating principles?
DEQ operates under the following principles:
- Recognize issues and conflicts as opportunities to build relationships.
- Focus on results instead of on a “set” process.
- Know and respect your audience. Keep the message simple.
- Recognize and understand the strengths and limits, the abilities and resources of the people with whom we work.
- Empathize. Seek to understand before you are understood.
- Listen, learn, ask. What would you have us do?
- Be creative in finding cost-effective, timely, workable solutions.
- Fix the problem, not the blame.
- Involve others to solve problems.
- Partners share information, support, and accountability.
- Follow up! Follow through!
- Recognize the needs of the people and the environment of Utah.
How is DEQ funded?
Some 418 employees carry out the mission of DEQ, operating under a budget of approximately $70 million. DEQ receives its funds from a combination of federal and state monies and fees.
Where can I get more information?
DEQ maintains a website at www.deq.utah.gov
