Environmental Health and Safety

Our programs promote...

Health and quality of life by preventing or controlling those diseases or deaths that result from interactions between people and the places they live, work and play. Our programs employ several strategies to prevent health hazards including education, surveillance, routine inspections, response to citizen tips, sampling and posting and enforcement where necessary.

asdf

Emergency Response Preparedness

This program assists in preparing for disasters and direct service to assist with community recovery.

Emergency Response - Standby

Environmental Health and Safety provides standby coverage for public health-related emergencies during non-working hours.

---

Food Sanitation Protection

These programs assure that food provided for human consumption at the retail level is wholesome, properly labeled and that it has been prepared, produced and stored under conditions which prevent food-borne illnesses.

Dairy Inspection (Milk and Dairy Program)

Environmental Health and Safety permits and inspects and scores dairy farms in Sonoma and Marin Counties via authority of the CA Department of Food and Agriculture.

Food Facility Inspection Reports

All food facility shall post a notice advising patrons that a copy of the most recent inspection report is available for review by interested parties. This notice is available for download.

Food Facility Inspection Results Database

Retail food facilities such as restaurants, grocery stores, bakeries, bars and bed and breakfast inns receive routine food safety inspections. This database provides the most recent inspection and any reinspections results. Permit suspensions or revocations and permit reinstatements are also included.

Food-borne Illness Investigation and Response

These services insure that illnesses caused by food are investigated so that changes can be made to prevent future illness.

Recognition of Excellence in Food Safety Program

The Recognition of Excellence in Food Safety seal is awarded to Sonoma County retail food establishments that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to food safety.

Retail and Consumer Protection Programs

Services provided by these programs include:

• Catering
• Food Facilities with Private Water Wells
• Food Handler Safety Certification Classes
• Mobile Food Facilities
• Reduced Fee Incentive Program
• Temporary Food Facilities (Food Booths)
• Wine Tasting Room Exemption

---

Hazardous Materials/Waste

These programs assure that certain reporting requirements are met when the Health Department receives information regarding releases of hazardous materials into the environment that is likely to cause substantial injury to the public health or safety.

Pesticide Illness Reporting

Environmental Health and Safety notifies certain state agencies upon receipt of reports of pesticide illness report forms from physicians or the CA Poison Control System and assesses any situation in conjunction with a public health epidemiologist.

---

Housing, Institutions, and Land Use

These programs assure safe and healthful shelter for all residents and visitors by ensuring compliance with the requirements for sanitation, ventilation, maintenance, use and occupancy.

Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention

Funded through the State Department of Health Services, CLPP employs a team of health professionals who provide services to parents, healthcare providers, and the general public.

Detention Facilities

Environmental health and Safety makes annual inspections to ensure standards for safe food and other rules to prevent environmental health hazards are met.

Healthy Homes Program

Environmental Health receives numerous inquiries from the public regarding non-healthy home issues (substandard housing conditions) in residential living units.

Organized Camps

Environmental Health and Safety permits and inspects these facilities to assure compliance with requirements for sanitation, food safety, ventilation, maintenance use and occupancy.

---

Medical Waste and Consumer Protection

Body Art Facility Inspection

Environmental Health started inspecting body art facilities and using the CCLHO guidelines as a reference document in July 2006.

Medical Waste Program

The Medical Waste Program was established by the California Department of Health Services to ensure statewide standards for uniformity in the safe handling, minimization and disposal of medical waste. The Sonoma County Department of Health Services administers the program within Sonoma County.

---

Plan Check and Construction Inspections

This program assures hygienic and safe food facility environments, and a safe and healthful environment at public pool and spa facilities by ensuring that they are constructed in a proper manner.

Environmental Drilling Permits

Environmental drilling is required for investigation and cleanup of contaminated sites, overseen by various agencies. Environmental drilling is also conducted for Real Estate Phase 2 environmental assessments; environmental drilling permits for these activities are issued by Environmental Health and Safety.

Food Facility Construction

The Food Facility Construction program reviews the plans for all new and remodeled food facilities within Sonoma County to ensure that food facilities are constructed in accordance with applicable requirements.

Public Swimming Pool/Spa Construction and Inspection

This program ensures that public swimming pools and spas are free of safety hazards, disease and chemical contamination hazards, and life threatening occurrences.

Mobile Food Facility Construction

These services ensure that plans for construction and operation meets minimum state public health mobile food facility standards.

---

Recreational Health

These programs assure that all public recreational waters, and public swimming pools and spas are free of safety hazards, disease and chemical contamination hazards, and life threatening occurrences.

Fresh Water Quality Sampling: Russian River Beaches and Spring Lake Lagoon

Sampling is conducted once a week each summer between Memorial Day and Labor Day at beaches on the Russian River and the Spring Lake lagoon.

Ocean Water Quality Monitoring

Ocean water samples are collected at beaches that are visited by 50,000 people per year and are adjacent to storm drains, creek or rivers. Seven beaches in Sonoma County meet the criteria.

Public Swimming Pool/Spa Construction and Inspection

This program ensures that public swimming pools and spas are free of safety hazards, disease and chemical contamination hazards, and life threatening occurrences.

---

Solid Waste

Solid Waste Program

Environmental Health and Safety permits and inspects landfills, transfer stations and other facilities which handle solid waste which require permits to operate under authority of CalRecycle. The program includes response to solid waste illegal accumulation or storage complaints and monitoring waste tire sites and haulers.

Local Enforcement Agency (LEA)

This program protects the community, landfill personnel, and the environment from the effects of improper storage, collection, transportation, and disposal of solid waste, including lies, rodents, scenic blight, public nuisances, and water pollution.

Waste Tire

Ensures that waste tires are handled according to minimum state public health standards.

---

Water Quality

These programs safeguard drinking and surface water quality.

Groundwater Contamination Response Notifications

Notifies residents within specified distances of known groundwater contamination so they can take action regarding their own private water supply.

Leaking Underground Storage Tank Local Oversight Program (LOP)

Oversees the clean-up of contaminated sites resulting from the unauthorized release of hazardous substances from underground storage tank systems containing petroleum products and other hazardous materials, in all areas of the county with the exception of the cities of Santa Rosa and Healdsburg.

Monitoring Well Construction/Abandonment

Ensures wells are constructed and properly abandoned to prevent contamination of groundwater.

Septic Tank/Chemical Toilet Waste Pumping and Disposal Program

Environmental Health and Safety issues annual registrations and inspects vehicles used in the business of cleaning septic tanks, chemical toilets, and vaults and the removal and disposal of contents thereof to assure compliance with sanitary standards.

State Small Water Systems

Environmental Health and Safety permits, inspects and monitors water sample reports for water systems serving at least five, but not more than fourteen service connections, with no more than an average of 25 individuals daily for more than sixty days in a year.

Storm Water Pollution Prevention

The storm water management program protects our waterways and enhance our quality of life. Residents can report spills and dumping in storm drains and creeks.

Septage Haulers

Environmental Health and Safety issues annual registrations and inspects vehicles used in the business of cleaning septic tanks, chemical toilets, and vaults and the removal and disposal of contents thereof to assure compliance with sanitary standards.