Environmental Health

Environmental Health staff work behind the scenes to ensure Lawrence and Douglas County residents live in a safe and healthy environment.
From assisting rural residents with clean water and functioning septic systems to advocating air quality improvements, Environmental Health focuses on the relationships between people and their environment.

The following activities assist the program in accomplishing its mission:
• Timely investigation of complaints
• Thorough inspection of regulated industries and activities
• Promotion of environmentally responsible behaviors through education and outreach
• Development and enforcement of environmental laws and regulations

Two Environmental staff members enforce environmental health and safety regulations in the City of Lawrence and unincorporated areas of Douglas County to protect environmental quality for the benefit of all residents.

Services include:
• Onsite sewage management septic system permits and inspections
• Private water supply (well) permits and inspections
• Well water samples collected and screened for bacteria and nitrates
• Non-residential (public) swimming pool and spa inspections
• School inspections
• Child care facility inspections
• Cereal-Malt Beverage (CMB) inspections within the city of Lawrence
• Septage hauling equipment permits and inspections
• Response to animal bites in unincorporated Douglas County
• Response to citizens' complaints regarding various environmental health issues

Hours
For more information or to schedule an onsite sewage management system or private well water supply inspection, call (785) 843-3060 between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. (Monday through Friday) and ask for an Environmental Health Specialist. You can also e-mail ehinfo@ldchealth.org


2010 Clean Water/Sanitary Code Enforcement fact sheet >>


a wealth of knowledge

Monica Curtis’s previous experience with government programs had been frustratingly slow, but her experience with the Health Department’s Environmental Health program was anything but.

With a move from Boulder, Colo., to her parents’ old farm looming, a lot of work needed to be done for the land to be safe and ready for her family.

“I didn’t know the first thing to do so I came to the Health Department,” she said.

Environmental Health Specialist Andrew Stull inspected the property’s septic system and found that the lateral field needed to be replaced. Monica was concerned about the cost since she had several other projects in mind that she wanted to complete before moving into the home.

With Andrew’s assistance, she was introduced to the Douglas County Conservation District’s on-site waste management system program that could help her pay for the lateral field repairs. Within three weeks, funding was approved and the lateral field passed final inspection.

Through the Health Department, Monica learned about the necessary procedures and programs that were important for updating the plot.

“I definitely learned a lot about septic systems,” said, Monica, comparing what she learned to taking a college course on the subject. “Andrew was truly a wealth of knowledge.”

Click here to download regulations and forms from the EH links page

Douglas County Sanitary Code

For additional information, call (785) 843-3060 or e-mail ehinfo@ldchealth.org