Program Overview

The Division of Environmental Health consists of 11 programs—

Food Protection-The Department staff permit and inspect about 380 retail food establishments in Whiteside County. Establishments include restaurants, grocery stores, catering businesses, school and church kitchens, bakeries, drink establishments, hospital and day care food services. Establishments are routinely inspected once, twice or three times a year depending on risk category. Staff also permit temporary food events and assist in the investigation of suspect food borne illness.
Request for Service - The majority of requests consist of complaints of accumulated garbage, accumulated rubbish, tall grass and weeds and unfit housing. Housing complaints may allege infestation, lack of sanitary facilities, mold and various other unsanitary conditions. The staff conducts investigations and follow up inspections to verify compliance. Violations not corrected are referred to the Whiteside County State’s Attorney’s office.
Private Sewage Disposal - Department staff license both installation and cleaning contractors and permit and inspect the construction of new and replacement disposal systems. Staff also investigates complaints alleging improper disposal and play an integral part in the planning of new subdivisions utilizing on-site sewage disposal systems.
Private Water Supplies - Department staff permit and inspect the construction of new and replacement water wells by state licensed contractors. Staff also supervise the proper abandonment of decommissioned wells and investigate complaints alleging well contamination and waterborne illness.
Mortgage Loan Evaluation - Staff evaluate and report on the design and working condition of existing private wells and on-site sewage disposal systems. This service is typically requested by a prospective buyer or their lending institution. The well evaluation includes testing the water for coliform bacteria and nitrates.

Non Community Water Supply - Department staff routinely inspect and test private wells which supply non residences serving 25 or more people on a regular basis; such as churches, schools, factories, parks, food and drink establishments, motels and businesses.

Arbovirus Surveillance and prevention - Surveillance is a valuable tool used to detect the presence and the amplification of arbo virus in our communities. Department staff capture and test mosquitoes and submit bird specimens for testing during the warm summer months to determine if, and to what degree, viruses that cause West Nile fever and St. Louis Encephalitis are present. Traps are strategically located in the more densely populated communities where the virus would have a greater impact. Staff also conducts an aggressive educational campaign thru local media and schools, and thru other means of advertizing, instructing the public on the importance of personal protection and maintaining property free of standing water. The department trains and provides local communities with larvicide to treat storm sewers and other water impoundments and investigate complaints about breeding sites.
Landfill Inspection - Department staff inspect the open cell and municipal waste as it is deposited to verify that no unsuitable materials are coming into the Prairie Hill Recycling and Disposal Facility. Examples of unsuitable materials include, but are limited to, bulk liquid, hazardous waste, radioactive waste, hospital waste, vehicle batteries, appliances (refrigerators, air conditioners), water heaters, microwaves, sealed gasoline tanks or cans, sealed diesel fuel tanks or cans, sealed oil cans or drums, propane tanks, un-rimmed tires, or any material suspected of being an environmental hazard.
Bio terrorism Preparedness - The department as a whole takes a very pro active approach to bio terrorism preparedness. Leading a bio terrorism task force committee made up of local, county and state law enforcement, doctors, nurses, paramedics, mental health professional’s department staff has developed a comprehensive bio terrorism plan and has conducted several drills. Environmental health staff plays a part in this program assisting behind the scenes in a mass immunization event or playing a more central role in the event of suspect tampering with local food and water supplies.

Tanning Facility Inspection - Department staff inspects contractually state licensed tanning facilities in Whiteside County. The focus of inspections is cleanliness, equipment maintenance, and to verify that customers are not over exposed to ultra violet radiation.

Body Art - The department permits establishments that offer tattooing and or piercing and licenses individuals who provide the service. Environmental Health and Infectious disease staff inspect operations annually to verify the implementation of practices and safeguards which restrict to transmission of blood borne pathogens.