Environmental Health

Records, inspections, licenses, permits, and much more – get all the facts, figures, and forms you need to get going.

Environmental Health Overview

The function of the Environmental Health Section is to identify health risks in the environment and implement solutions that eliminate or reduce risk. This includes investigating and containing diseases and injuries to reduce the incidence of injuries, deter the spread of contagious diseases, and reduce the disabilities related to disease and injury.

Area of Program Jurisdiction

All land within Wasco and Sherman counties, including all State and Federal land, all incorporated cities, and all National Scenic Areas within Wasco and Sherman, counties, excluding the Warm Springs Indian Reservation.

A) Inspections, Plan Review, Licensing, Enforcement, Complaints, Technical assistance and formal training for the following:

  • Restaurants and Mobile Food Units

  • Public Swimming Pools and Spas

  • Motels, Hotels, and licensed B&Bs

  • Organization Camps and RV Parks

  • Public Water Systems for communities under 3,300 people

  • Temporary events and benevolent restaurants such as community meals

  • School Cafeterias and The NORCOR correctional facility sanitation

B) Epidemiological investigations of

  1. Food borne disease outbreaks

  2. Waterborne disease outbreaks

  3. Vector diseases such as Lyme disease, Hantavirus, Rabies, etc.

  4. Environmental exposures such as Blood Lead Poisoning

C) On-Site Wastewater Disposal

  1. Site evaluations for subsurface sewage disposal

  2. Issuing construction permits for new systems and repairs

  3. Repair technical assistance and evaluation

  4. Investigation of failing systems

  5. Pumper truck inspections

  6. Alteration permits

  7. Authorization of usage for established septic systems

D) Solid Waste

  1. Administer the Solid Waste Collection and Disposal ordinance for Wasco County

  2. Technical assistance to Sherman County Solid Waste Advisory Committee

  3. Solid waste complaints

  4. Waste shed representative for Wasco and Sherman Counties to DEQ

  5. Compile required recycle reports for Wasco and Sherman Counties to DEQ

  6. Hazardous materials accidents, consultation, and technical advice

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Inspections are designed to identify safety risks in the environment that lead to bodily injury or disease. Some examples of these in the various programs are as follows:

A) Restaurants

  1. Proper food handling and training

  2. Toxic items properly used, labeled and stored

  3. Chemical concentrations for sanitizer for cleaning and dish-washing

  4. Proper food temperature controls hot and cold

  5. Prevention of cross contamination from raw foods or allergens

B) Public Pools and Spas

  1. Structural condition and maintenance

  2. Life saving equipment

  3. Water chemistry

  4. Accident and water quality reporting and record-keeping

C) Public Water Systems

  1. Construction of water source, distribution, and storage facilities

  2. Proper testing and reporting for state requirements

  3. Technical assistance with elimination of bacterial and viral routes of entry

D) Onsite Wastewater Treatment

To ensure the existence of proper sewage treatment conditions on properties in Wasco and Sherman Counties in order to prevent public health hazards.

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