Inspections and Enforcement

Routine regulatory inspection of AFOs and CAFOs will be conducted by the Division of Water Quality (DWQ). These are different than the non-regulatory AFO assessments conducted by the Utah Association Conservation Districts (UACD) and the Utah Farm Bureau. DWQ will conduct routine inspections of some AFOs with the AFO Permit-By-Rule (PBR). The number of animal inspections to be conducted has not been determined. DWQ will inspect all large CAFOs at least every five years. DWQ will also respond to complaints regarding AFO and CAFO water quality problems.

AFOs and CAFOs must comply with the federal, state, and local water quality rules and permits that pertain to them. All AFOs and CAFOs that discharge to water of the State are subject to enforcement unless a facility has the CAFO permit or the AFO Permit-By-Rule and is in compliance with their respective requirements.

DWQ will conduct enforcement and issue penalties against facilities with illegal discharges and other violations according to DWQ enforcement and penalty policies. EPA and local counties may conduct enforcement for illegal discharges independent of and enforcements conducted by the DWQ. AFOs and CAFOs issued Notices of Violation (NOV) are subject to financial penalties for illegal discharges to waters of the State.

Complaints

DWQ will respond to water quality based complaints regarding AFOs and CAFOs. When possible, the partners will accompany DWQ on complaint investigations at AFOs.