- Home
- Departments
- Environmental Health
Environmental Health
Mission
To promote and protect the health of the people of Lake County through education and the enforcement of public health laws.
News and Information
Self-Supplied Water Systems
Documents:
- 2022 Self-Supplied Water System Presentation (PDF)
- 2022 Self-Supplied Water System Meeting Agenda (PDF)
Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations
Starting January 4th, 2021, Lake County Environmental Health is excited to now offer the Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operation (MHKO) program which was approved by the Board of Supervisors. The MHKO program is designed to lower the barriers to owning your own business in food operations by allowing the preparation and sale of prepared food items from your own home. If you are interested in learning more, please follow the link above and read the approved ordinance.
Coronavirus
For full COVID-19 information and press releases, view the Public Health Coronavirus page.
Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) Advisories
- Guidelines for Food Safety at Retail Establishments During Temporary Power Outages (PDF)
- Food Safety After a Power Outage (PDF)
Is That Toxic Mold in My Home?
Toxic mold may cause skin rashes, eye and nose irritation, and suppression of the immune system. It is also suspected to cause a disorder in infants that results in bleeding in the lungs, however, this condition is rare. For more information on health effects, identification, prevention, and clean-up of toxic mold, please visit our Mold Prevention and Clean Up page.
Did You Know That Blue-Green Algae Can Cause Serious Health Problems?
A wide range of health effects is possible when an animal or person is exposed to elevated levels of toxins produced by cyanobacteria (blue-green algae). Effects can include liver damage, kidney damage, neurological effects, or skin irritation. For more information, visit our Blue-Green Algae page or view the cyanotoxin sampling results on the Big Valley Rancheria Cyanotoxin Sampling Resultslinks website.
Public Notices
No public notices at this time
Press & News Releases
No new press releases at this time
-
Craig Wetherbee
Director
-
Environmental Health
Physical Address
922 Bevins Court
Lakeport, CA 95453
Phone 707-263-1164Fax 707-263-1681
Hours
Monday through Friday
8 am to 5 pmLand Use / Front Counter / Inspector Hours
By appoinment only
Monday through Friday
8 am to 5 pmClosed County Holidays
Environmental Health Contact List (PDF)
- What is Environmental Health?
-
The National Association of County and City Health Officials define environmental health as the discipline that "focuses on the health interrelationships between people and their environment, promotes human health and well-being, and fosters a safe and healthful environment".
- How Does Environmental Health Serve the People of Lake County?
-
The Lake County Division of Environmental Health is comprised of a team of dedicated public health professionals that are focused on their mission to promote and protect the health of the people of Lake County through education and the enforcement of public health laws. Disease control and prevention are at the heart of this mission. This is done through the administration and implementation of several local public health programs such as:
- Food Safety Program where we permit and inspect all facilities that sell food to the public including community events.
- Recreational Health Program where we permit and inspect all public pools and spas. During the summer, we monitor public beaches for bacterial quality.
- Land Development Program where we permit and inspect on-site sewage disposal systems and permit and inspect the construction of new water wells. We also make comments on land-use proposals to the Planning Department.
- Hazardous Materials Management Program where we permit and inspect underground storage tanks and facilities that handle hazardous materials.
- Solid Waste Program where we permit and inspect solid waste haulers and municipal facilities such as the landfill, the transfer station, and closed dumps.
- State Small Water System Program where we permit and inspect public water systems between 5 and 14 connections.
- Emergency Response and Preparedness Program where we respond and prepare for disasters and accidents. These may include hazardous materials spills, sewage spills, flood events, and other threats to public health and safety.
- Nuisance Complaints where we respond and work to eliminate public health hazards and nuisances.
- Body Piercing and Tattoos where we permit and inspect businesses conducting body piercing, permanent makeup, and tattoos.
- Special Projects and working with other agencies in groundwater protection, bioterrorism response, and investigating environmental crimes.
The mandate and authority to implement these programs come from Chapter 9 of the Lake County Code and from the State Health and Safety Code.
- How Is the Division Funded?
-
The Division is funded by a combination of funding sources. Currently, Environmental Health does not receive any money from the county general fund. Approximately 55 % of funds are collected from fees charged to regulated businesses and from permit services. Approximately 35% of funds come from public health realignment funds that come to local government from the State Vehicle License Fund. Approximately 10% of funds come from special grant projects.