Five Utah maps and directories for internet, utilities, hazards, libraries and hazardous waste, and what each one can't tell you

Utah's agencies keep several public maps and directories that answer practical questions: what internet can I get, who sends my water bill, is my land on a mapped hazard, where is the nearest library, where do I take old paint. Each page also says, sometimes quietly, what the tool does not promise. Here are five, with those limits.

What internet is available

The Utah Broadband Center's maps page links five maps: the FCC's National Broadband Map, a Utah residential availability map, an economic development map, a map of provisional awardees and a "Benefit of the Bargain" map. The page itself explains only the first, which comes with a video on how to challenge a location or availability listing on the FCC map. It does not say what the others contain, so open each one to see its legend before drawing conclusions. ^[1]

The Utah Geospatial Resource Center, which publishes the underlying service-area data, is more careful. Its data comes from the FCC map, grouped into hexagonal cells by provider, technology and top advertised speed. A cell counts if at least one location in it is offered that service, and the center says that "does not guarantee" every location in the cell has it. The data is provided "as is," and the page gives two different update schedules: every May and November, and monthly. ^[2] In short, a map is a starting point. Confirm with the provider for your address.

Who provides your water, power or phone

The Office of Consumer Services runs a Find My Utility map for researching which providers serve an area. The page calls it "a work in progress." It covers water, electric, natural gas and rural telephone service. Clicking a water or electric area shows the provider's name, and electric areas also show contact details. The gas layer lists one provider, Dominion Energy Utah, and shows its territory only approximately. Telephone boundaries cover rural companies, with a legend of provider names. ^[3]

The page text still uses the Dominion name for the gas company, so check the provider's current name and contact details before you call. The map points you to a provider; it does not show whether service has been extended to a specific address.

Mapped geologic hazards

The Utah Geological Survey's hazards portal draws on its geologic hazards database, including mapping done since 2008 plus data from other sources. It shows the type, location and relative susceptibility of hazards that could affect existing and future development, and the survey describes it as meant for planners, local officials, property owners, developers, engineers, geologists and the public. Hazard topics on the survey's site include earthquake ground shaking and liquefaction, flooding, landslides and rockfall, problem soils including radon, and volcanic rocks. ^[4]

"Relative susceptibility" is a comparison across the map, not a statement about a particular lot. The page we read does not include a site-specific disclaimer, so the safe reading is that the portal helps you ask better questions. For a building decision, the survey also links a page on submitting geologic reports.

Finding a library, and its limits

The Utah State Library's directory lists 146 libraries: 130 public, seven tribal, six bookmobiles and three special libraries. You can search by keyword or location, sort by distance or title, and filter by library features. An "Export Directory CSV" button saves the list. One entry was marked temporary when we looked: the Bountiful Branch Library at 85 N. Main St. The page does not say how long it will stay there. ^[5]

Check a library's own site before a trip. The directory is a map of where libraries are, not a record of today's hours or collections.

Household hazardous waste in Utah County

Utah County's health department sends residents to two waste stations: the South Utah Valley Solid Waste District and the North Pointe Solid Waste Special Service District. It names paint, oil, gasoline, pesticides and cleaners as free drop-offs, and says electronics, general trash and some other materials may carry a disposal fee, without giving amounts. ^[6]

The page says household hazardous materials can be dropped off "at either county waste station at any time." It gives no hours, and it does not say what "any time" means in practice, so call the station before loading the car.