San Luis Obispo County Environmental Health Services works with organizations, businesses and regulatory agencies to protect the overall health of residents and visitors by preventing the transmission of disease and exposure to harmful chemicals and microbes in the environment. Programs address issues related to:

Water Quality

For forms related to Water Quality please go to  Environmental Health Forms website.

Recreational Health

The purpose of this program is to ensure that all public recreational waters, such as swimming pools, spas, lakes, and ocean front waters are free of potentially hazardous bacterial and chemical contamination and safety hazards which may adversely affect their beneficial recreational uses, specifically swimming and other body and water contact activities.

Elements of the Recreational Health Program

• Public Swimming Pools - For forms related to Swimming/Recreational Bathing please go to  Environmental Health Forms website.
• Ocean Water Monitoring
  

Small Water Systems

The purpose of this program is to regulate Small Water Systems to assure that safe drinking water is provided to the public. Small Water Systems are defined as having between 15 - 199 service connections and regularly serving 25 or more individuals daily at least 60 days out of the year. The department also regulates State Small Water Systems that are defined as having between 5-14 service connections and not regularly serving more than an average of 25 individuals daily for more than 60 days out of the year. 

Liquid Waste

The purpose of the Liquid Waste Program is to protect the health and safety of the public and environment from the improper discharge of sewage from on-site sewage disposal systems and gray water systems. This is accomplished through the evaluation and permitting of septage haulers and complaint response.

Water Well Construction

The purpose of the Well Construction/Abandonment element is to regulate irrigation, domestic, and monitoring wells. 

Cross-Connection Contamination

The purpose of the Cross-Connection program is to enforce State and local regulations in order to protect the drinking water supply from chemical or bacterial contamination that may enter from backsiphonage or backflow conditions.

Food Safety (Retail Food Sanitation)

The purpose of this program is to prevent the occurrence of food borne illnesses; to promote the preparation, production and service of food in hygienic, properly equipped and maintained food facilities; and to protect the health of the food worker by encouraging safe and sanitary on-the-job working conditions. For forms related to Food Safety please go to Environmental Health Forms website.

 Solid Waste Management

The purpose of this program is to protect public health and the environment from the effects of improper storage, collection, transportation, and disposal of solid waste including flies, rodents, public nuisances, and water pollution. The goal is accomplished through a program of inspection, permitting, complaint investigation, public education, and assistance to industry.

Hazardous Materials and Waste

The purpose of this program is to protect the public and the environment from the release of hazardous wastes by regulating industries that generate hazardous waste. Program objectives are accomplished through inspection, surveillance, incident investigation, and assistance to industry, enforcement, and public education. - For online forms and information related to Hazardous Materials and Business Plans, please go to the SLO County Hazardous Materials website.

Elements of the Hazardous Materials\Waste Program

1. Release Response Plans
2. California Accidental Release Prevention
3. Underground Storage Tanks
4. Hazardous Waste Generator
5. Tiered permitting
6. Above Ground Storage Tanks
7. Hazardous Materials Response Team

Control of Disease-bearing Insects and Rodents (Vector Surveillance)

The purpose of this program is to protect the health and safety of the citizens of San Luis Obispo County by monitoring the presence of disease bearing animals (vectors) and coordinating activities with State Health officials, the Agriculture Commissioner, and the pest control industry.

Land Use

The purpose of this program is to prevent health hazards and mitigate, where possible, environmental degradation resulting from improperly planned land development projects. For online forms related to Land Use please go to the Environmental Health Forms website.

Housing and Institutions

The purpose of this program is to ensure safe and healthful shelter for residents and visitors of San Luis Obispo County by ensuring compliance with the requirements for sanitation, ventilation, maintenance, use and occupancy for housing and detention facilities under provisions of the State Health and Safety Code.

Elements of the Housing and Institutions Program

1. Organized Camps
2. Correctional Facilities
3. Lead Abatement / Screening

For more detailed information on the specific programs
included in each of these categories, please call the office.

Environmental Health Services
805-781-5544

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