DDW & DWQ Fee Proposals – Your Input Needed Sept. 11
Date postedSeptember 10, 2025
News,
Two divisions within Utah’s Department of Environmental Quality—Drinking Water (DDW) and Water Quality (DWQ)—are proposing new fees that could significantly impact public water systems across the state, especially small and rural systems.
Your perspective is vital. Public input is essential to shaping fair and effective policies. Whether you support the proposals or have concerns, now is the time to make your voice heard at the September 11 hearing.
Division of Water Quality (DWQ) - Permit Fee Updates
- Effective July 1, 2026
- Covers groundwater, underground injection, reuse, large underground wastewater, UPDES, industrial, and pretreatment permits
- Average 5% increase across DWQ-administered permits (to keep pace with inflation and reduced federal funding)
- Comments due by September 15, 2025 (email: csilotti@utah.gov)
Division of Drinking Water (DDW) - New Public Water System Fees
- Effective July 1, 2026 (first payments due July 2027)
- $0.0331 per 1,000 gallons of water used
- $35/year flat fee for systems using <10 million gallons annually
- Applies to: all community, non-transient, transient, and wholesale systems (retail customers)
- Exemptions: wholesale water, agricultural-only use, and certain industrial use
- Conservation incentives: up to 10% fee reduction for qualifying systems
- Final proposal submitted Sept. 1, 2025; hearing tomorrow is final opportunity for comment
Why It Matters
These proposals affect nearly all public water systems and regulated facilities in Utah. The financial impact, especially on small and rural systems, makes your feedback essential.
Take Action
📅 Public Hearing – Thursday, September 11, 2025
In-Person Location: DEQ Board Room 1015, Multi-Agency State Office Building, Salt Lake City
Remote Option:
- Video call link: https://meet.google.com/njm-guaw-kiq
- Phone: (US) +1 402-225-0816 PIN: 830 436 103 #
Time: 2:00 PM