Environmental Health Department

Duties: The Environmental Health Department is responsible for the environmental health for the citizens of Jefferson County.

Location: 901 North 8th Street, Fairfield
Hours:  M-F 9-12 & 1:30-4:30
Administrator:Dan Miller, Registered Sanitarian
Telephone: 641-472-2561
Fax: 641-469-3398
Email:jeffcoeh@gmail.com

Sanitarian Duties:

• Provide enforcement of and information about the County Ordinance regarding septic systems:
      RULES GOVERNING THE CONSTRUCTION, USE,
      OPERATION, AND MAINTENANCE OF DISPOSAL
      SYSTEMS WITHIN ANY AREA OF JEFFERSON COUNTY,
      IOWA  (PDF file).

• Specify, permit and inspect all new septic systems.

• Provide septic inspections at Time of Transfer -
  (all applicable transfer of property must have a septic system inspection):
     As of July 1, 2009, the State of Iowa has jurisdiction
     over Time of Transfer inspections --
     State website: https://www.iowadnr.gov/Environmental-Protection/Water-Quality/Private-Septic-Systems/Time-of-Transfer

   Criteria for Time of Transfer Septic System
    Inspection (PDF file).

   Time of Transfer Inspection Exemptions (PDF file).

   NOTE: The new owner must apply for a new Discharge Authorization Permit - see https://www.iowadnr.gov/Environmental-Protection/Water-Quality/NPDES-Wastewater-Permitting.

    The Notice of Intent Form is on the DNR website https://www.iowadnr.gov/Environmental-Protection/Water-Quality/Private-Septic-Systems/General-Permit-4.
    This form goes to the County Sanitarian.

• Provide information about septic system use and maintenance:
     Caring for Your Septic System and More Caring information (PDF files).

• Consult on RUSS (Regional Utility Service Systems) program.

• Approve permits for new wells. https://www.iowadnr.gov/Environmental-Protection/Water-Quality/Private-Well-Program

• Oversee State Grant for old well reconstruction or plugging and filling cisterns. For information and to receive grant funds call 641-472-2561.

• Conducts (free) well-water testing. For well-water information, see the University of Iowa Well Testing Basics web page.

• RADON - Provide information about radon.
  January of each year is Radon Action Month which is a good time to test your home for radon.
  Radon test kits can be purchased locally or by going to www.lchh.org.
  For more information go to, http://www.idph.iowa.gov/radon, or https://www2.epa.gov/radon, or https://www.lung.org/our-initiatives/healthy-air/indoor/,
  or call the Iowa Dept. of Public Health Radon Hot Line: 800-383-5992

• Coordinate Radon Mitigation Workshops for Contractors - call for information.

• Inspect tanning salons and provide owner/management testing. For information, see the Iowa Department of Public Health website - http://idph.iowa.gov/tanning

• Inspect tattoo establishments. For information, see the Iowa Department of Public Health website - http://idph.iowa.gov/tattoo

• Public Pool Inspections. For information, see http://idph.iowa.gov/swimmingpoolsandspas/inspections

• Food Inspections. Updated 10/20/15: Food inspections in Jefferson County are conducted by the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals. For information or an inspection, call 515-281-6538.
  
     The Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals is responsible for administering and enforcing the Iowa Food Code.  Their new website is - https://dia.iowa.gov/food-consumer-safety
  
     Note: The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation provides on-line courses:
     For ServSafe Manager -
        https://www.servsafe.com/purchase
     For ServSafe Food Handler -
        "https://www.servsafe.com/ServSafe-Food-Handler
        and https://www.servsafe.com/ServSafe-Food-Handler

 

RELATED LINKS:

Iowa Department of Public Health website - https://idph.iowa.gov/

For Healthy Homes, from the Iowa Dept of Health.   - https://idph.iowa.gov/lpp/healthy-homes

Iowa DNR website - https://www.iowadnr.gov/

Iowa DNR - Private Septic Systems - https://www.iowadnr.gov/Environmental-Protection/Water-Quality/Private-Septic-Systems

EPA information about radon - https://www2.epa.gov/radon

Mold information - from two websites-

   Iowa Department of Public Health - https://idph.iowa.gov/lpp/healthy-homes

   Iowa Department of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health. - Frequently Asked Questions about Mold (PDF).

   From the EPA Mold and Moisture website - https://www.epa.gov/mold.

Bed Bug information - from a number of sources -

   Iowa Dept of Public Health - http://lib.dr.iastate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1181&context=extension_ag_pubs

   EPA - Bed Bugs-Get Them Out and Keep Them Out - https://www2.epa.gov/bedbugs

   Illinois Dept of Public Health - www.idph.state.il.us/envhealth/pcbedbugs.htm

   A Beyond Pesticides Factsheet - http://www.beyondpesticides.org/assets/media/documents/infoservices/pesticidesandyou/Winter10-11/bedbugs.pdf

   Central Ohio Bed Bug Task Force - https://richlandhealth.org/home-health/bed-bugs/.

   Vermont Dept of Health, about bedbugs - http://www.healthvermont.gov/health-environment/healthy-homes/pests-and-bed-bugs

New - Lyme Disease, from the Iowa Department of Health - https://idph.iowa.gov/cade/disease-information/lyme-disease.

West Nile Virus, from the Iowa Department of Public Health - http://idph.iowa.gov/cade/disease-information/west-nile-virus.

Zika Virus, from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - https://www.cdc.gov/zika/about/overview.html.

Lead Poisoning: How to Protect Iowa Families, the brochure, has been updated and approved by EPA for continued use in Iowa - https://idph.iowa.gov/Environmental-Health-Services/Childhood-Lead-Poisoning-Prevention/healthy-homes

Rabies information, from the Iowa Dept of Health - http://idph.iowa.gov/rabies

Asbestos, from a website from the United States Environmental Protection Agency where you can learn about Asbestos - https://www2.epa.gov/asbestos

Avian Influenza Information, from the CDC - https://www.cdc.gov/flu/

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