At the heart of a healthy community is a safe environment. In Douglas County, Environmental Health Specialists play a critical role in protecting the public by ensuring the places people live, work and visit are free from preventable hazards.
These professionals are highly trained and credentialed, holding certifications as Registered Sanitarians and Lead Risk Assessors. Their work meets state, national and FDA standards and focuses on one goal: protecting public health by identifying, assessing and reducing risks from environmental hazards.
By identifying potential hazards early, educating the public and working with local businesses and residents, the program helps prevent problems that could negatively affect health.
HEALTH INSPECTIONS: Preventing Illness Before It Starts
Whether dining at a local restaurant, visiting a campground or attending a community event, residents rely on safe, regulated environments. Environmental Health Specialists conducted more than 700 inspections last year across food establishments, recreational facilities, body art establishments and mobile home communities. These can be pre-inspections for new businesses or changes in ownership, routine inspections completed annually, temporary events (such as festivals or the fair), additional inspections due to violations, and those in response to public complaints.
Inspections are designed to prevent foodborne and waterborne illness by identifying risks such as improper food handling, sanitation issues or unsafe facility conditions. When issues are found, inspectors work directly with business owners during inspections to correct immediately, if possible.
Education is a central part of every inspection. By helping businesses understand how to maintain safe practices, Environmental Health supports long-term compliance and reduces the risk of repeat issues. Enforcement action may be taken if issues continue to put the public at risk, but the primary focus remains partnership and prevention.
Safe Drinking Water: Protecting a Basic Need
Access to clean, safe drinking water is essential for good health. Environmental Health ensures that public facilities using well water meet drinking water standards through annual inspections of well systems and water testing for contaminants such as coliform bacteria and nitrates.
While most coliform bacteria are harmless, their presence can indicate pathways for dangerous contamination. When issues are detected, inspectors work with facility owners to identify the source and correct it, helping prevent potential outbreaks of waterborne illness.
More serious findings, such as E. coli in drinking water, trigger immediate safety measures, including alternative water sources, boil-water advisories and public notification requirements. These actions are critical to prevent severe illness, particularly among vulnerable populations.
Private well owners should test their well water annually for bacteria. Environmental Health’s lab analyzes water samples collected by Environmental Health Specialists as well as private water samples. Water sampling kits are available for purchase at the Health Department. Households with pregnant women and infants may be eligible for fee exempt water testing. Environmental Health Specialists are also available to provide education and informational resources concerning wells and safe drinking water.
Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention: Safeguarding Early Development
Lead exposure remains a significant environmental health risk, especially in communities with older housing that often contains lead-based paint. No level of lead is considered safe for children, as exposure can cause serious health risks and impact child development.
In Douglas County, Environmental Health Specialists are certified as Lead Risk Assessors and partners with Public Health Nurses to identify and respond to cases of lead poisoning in children. The team works closely with families to identify sources of lead, often lead-based paint, develop a plan to eliminate the hazard, and provide education and informational resources.
Radon: The Invisible Risk in Homes
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas in the ground that cannot be seen, smelled or tasted. It poses a serious health risk because it can enter homes through the foundation. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.
Elevated radon levels are found throughout Wisconsin, including Douglas County. Environmental Health encourages residents to test their homes, especially during the winter months when readings are most accurate. Testing is the only way to detect radon, and affordable test kits are available through the Health Department.
By identifying and mitigating radon exposure, residents can significantly reduce their long-term cancer risk.
Rabies Prevention: Reducing a Fatal Threat
Rabies is a viral disease affecting the central nervous system. The rabies virus is transmitted from infected mammals to humans (typically via a bite) and is invariably fatal once symptoms appear. In Wisconsin, bats are the most common carriers of the disease, putting outdoor pets and people at risk. Environmental Health Specialists partner with animal owners, local veterinary clinics, law enforcement, the Humane Society and the Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene during animal-bite investigations and quarantine orders and provide rabies awareness and education.
Addressing Environmental Health Hazards in the Community
Not all environmental health risks are confined to businesses or water systems. Environmental Health Specialists also investigate conditions that threaten health and safety within homes and neighborhoods.
These situations often involve complex challenges such as unsafe sanitation, chemical exposure, hoarding or improper waste disposal. Addressing these concerns requires coordination across multiple agencies, including public health, zoning, law enforcement and human services.
As part of Douglas County Health and Human Services, Environmental Health also plays a key role in local emergency response. Staff respond to a range of public health emergencies, including natural disasters, hazardous materials spills and infectious disease outbreaks. In these situations, while consulting with other local, regional and state agencies, Environmental Health helps assess environmental risks, provide guidance to protect public safety, and support response efforts that meet immediate community needs.
Strong partnerships are essential during both routine investigations and emergency responses. By working collaboratively across agencies, Environmental Health helps ensure coordinated, timely actions that protect individuals and strengthen community resilience.
A Community Partnership for Health
Environmental Health works most effectively as a partnership with the community. Through inspections, education, testing and emergency response, the program helps create environments where people can safely eat, drink, live and visit.
Much of this work happens quietly in the background, but its impact is significant. By focusing on prevention, practical solutions, and collaboration, Environmental Health protects not only individual well-being but also the health and safety of the entire community.
Kathy Ronchi, MPH, RN, is the Douglas County Health Officer. Celeste Hemphill-Welter, MS, is a Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian, who assisted with this article..
