For the past five years the Utah Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has been testing waterbodies for harmful algal blooms but due to state budget uncertainty the program funding was cut and monitoring was put on hold. Fortunately, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency gave the DEQ a one time grant that allows the agency to monitor 18 priority waterbodies in Utah. Strawberry Reservoir and Starvation Reservoir are two of the bodies. Erica Gaddis, director of DEQ’s Division of Water Quality, states, “The HABs program is an important element of protecting the health of water recreators and the environment. With these funds, DEQ can continue identifying HABs and informing public health partners about the safety of Utah waters.” Watch for signs of harmful algal blooms and report suspected blooms to DEQ at 801-536-4123.
