Local Drinking Water Protection
Q and A


The Salt Lake Valley Health Department is just one of many agencies that works to make sure your drinking water is safe. But even though there are multiple agencies protecting numerous sources, we can't do it all. We need your help and appreciate anything you can do to keep our drinking water supplies clean. Below is a set of questions that may further your understanding of drinking water protection.

Q: What does Salt Lake Valley Health Department Do to Protect Your Drinking Water? A: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires public water systems to be surveyed every 3-5 years as part of the Safe Drinking Water Act. These are called Sanitary Surveys and include items from the State Rules such as complaints, sampling, cross connections, piping and screening, seals and vents, lids and accesses, disinfection, storage, distribution, pumping, source protection and waivers to keep drinking water safe and secure. The Salt Lake Valley Health Department samples water system's drinking water on a regular and random basis to ensure they meet the requirements for safe levels of bacteria. Standard surveys for water systems administrators are available on this site.

Q: What About Protecting Our Water Sources?
A: The Safe Drinking Water Act requires water systems to protect their ground water and surface water sources. The Health Department is working with City and County officials and Public Drinking Water Systems to enact ordinances and enforce regulations to help protect our drinking water sources from becoming contaminated. As part of surveys, we check for water system cross connection and backflow devices and their monitoring activities. Systems are required to have a source protection plan that must be reviewed and approved.

Q: How Can I Do My Part to Protect Water Sources?
A: The Health Department operates permanent Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facilities at the landfills and one-day, collection events throughout the summer to keep unwanted chemicals and oil from being dumped on the ground or in our landfills. These services are free to Salt Lake County residents. Using environmentally friendly soaps and safer alternative chemicalsCan also help keep our water clean. One Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility operates a Reuse Center where unused paint, pesticides and cleaners can be obtained at not cost.
Best management practices at places like auto and paint shops, drycleaners and car washes work will eliminate the probability of contaminating our water and environment.

Prevent cross connections and use back flow devices to keep contamination from entering into your drinking water system. There are plumbing codes which help prevent cross connections from occurring but when individuals do their own plumbing projects they may not recognize the dangers. Your water company will send out regular advice on what to do to prevent contaminating your water. Always follow plumbing codes and manufactures instructions for all appliances such as water filters and softeners.

It is illegal dump any chemical or waste water down storm drains. Remember,  storm drains empty into our streams and lakes untreated, which can contaminate our drinking water.

Q: What About Water Conservation?
A: The Health Department encourages consumers to Conserve water. Several products are available which can help. Changing shower heads to reduce flow, lowering the amount of water used in toilet bowls, and keeping the clothes washer water levels correct are some of the main ways to conserve water indoors. Using plants that grow in drier climates to beautify our yards (xeriscaping) will help us use less irrigation water.

Q: What About Water Reuse?
A: The Health Department will closely follow developments as new State rules are finalized. Water reuse is a new field and will help to conserve water and other resources.

Q: What Chemicals and Organisms are in My Water?
A: Each year water systems are required to send to consumer's a report which lists the amounts of chemicals and coliform in the water for the entire system. Contact the water system serving you if you did not receive one of these reports.

Q: Should I Buy a Water Treatment System or Use Bottled Water?
A: Our water systems in Salt Lake County are required to meet stringent EPA standards for bacterial and chemical contaminants, but should you chose to treat your tap water, consider the pros and cons. Water softeners and filtration units may be good for some specific uses. Water softeners can reduce hard water scale in pipes and deposits on surfaces. Activated charcoal (carbon) and other types of filtration may reduce taste and odor problems. When considering a treatment unit, always consider the reason for it and the results. For example, water softeners may decrease calcium and increase sodium and may not be better for drinking. Soft water may be more corrosive which may increase leaching of copper and lead into the water. Activated charcoal filters and softeners may increase the bacterial load. Any treatment used should be monitored regularly. If this is not possible or too costly, adding treatment is probably not a good idea and is an unneeded expense. Always do your homework before making any purchase. The Health Department does not recommend specific filtration units.

Bottled water is often treated. Even so-called spring water can be disinfected, filtered, and chemicals added. For those who wish to purchase bottled water for fluoride content, find the amount of fluoride on the water label.Check with your dentist for your particular needs as the American Dental Association (ADA) now recommends different levels for different age groups.

Q: Can I Get My Private Well Tested?
A: For a short time the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food will test for bacteria, nitrate, pesticides, and minerals at no cost. There are some requirements to qualify. For information contact Mark Quilter at (801) 538-9905, FAX (801) 538 -9436, or at his e-mail address at agmain.mquilter@state.ut.us.

Q: Who Do I Contact if I Want More Information About the Safety of My Drinking Water in Salt Lake County?
A: The Salt Lake Valley Health Department's Bureau of Water Quality and Hazardous Waste is happy to address any of your questions not answered here. Please call us at 313-6700 or e-mail us at rwilliams@slco.org

Helpful Resource - Salt Lake Valley Groundwater Protection Coalition