Director
Utah Division of Water Quality
Bio:
Candice Hasenyager was appointed as the director of the Utah Division of Water Quality in January 2026. While new to Water Quality, she is not new to water. Hasenyager worked at the Division of Water Resources for 18 years and served as director for the last four years. She is a licensed professional engineer and holds both a bachelor's and a master's degree in civil engineering from the University of Utah.
Title: Why is Selenium in South Shore Bird Eggs on the Rise?
Abstract: For over 20 years, the Utah Division of Water Quality (DWQ) has led the scientific and regulatory effort to manage selenium in Great Salt Lake. Recognizing the limitations of applying existing water quality criteria to this hypersaline ecosystem, the DWQ spearheaded the development of a site-specific numeric criterion of 12.5 mg/kg in bird eggs to protect the lake’s vital avian populations.
This effort was rooted in a commitment to partnership, bringing together the GSL Water Quality Steering Committee and independent scientists to ensure rigorous, transparent results. By integrating diverse stakeholder expertise, the DWQ transitioned GSL oversight from narrative goals to data-driven protections. As the lake faces unprecedented hydrological shifts, these collaborations remain the essential foundation for future management. Continued collaboration and partnership are critical to ensuring the long-term health of this unique terminal lake.
Since adopting the criterion, DWQ has established a GSL monitoring program that includes water and bird egg selenium sampling, incorporated bird egg concentrations into our water quality assessment program, and implemented the criterion as an endpoint for discharge permits.
