The primary objective of the Environmental Health Division of the Public Health Services District is to prevent and mitigate the spread of both communicable and non communicable diseases that are either known or suspected to be caused by environmental factors. We attain this objective through education of the public and regulation with regard to statutes, rules, and ordinances.

Some of the key areas of focus are as follows:

• Solid and hazardous waste management – ensuring that solid and hazardous waste is disposed of in a proper and sanitary manner through enforcement of codes, rules, and ordinances and through inspection of waste management institutions
• Rodent control – reducing the areas of rodent harborage such as piles of rubbish, trash, dilapidated buildings, and junk vehicles
• Insect control – applying insecticide and larvicide in key areas to reduce populations of insects that play a key role in the spread of disease
• Food quality management – inspecting and regulating food service establishments in order to prevent food-borne illness
• Public Accommodations – inspecting and regulating hotels, motels, cabin rentals, and other transient dwellings to ensure conditions that promote public health and adhere to Arizona State Administrative Code.
• Recreational sanitation – monitoring the environment to prevent unsafe conditions at swimming pools and other recreational facilities
• Environmental planning – applying environmental design to minimize human stress and accidents
• Epidemiologist– investigating and reporting possible outbreaks of disease
• Emergency preparedness – taking part in the county's overall preparedness planning with respect to environmental health factors

Food Service Establishment Licenses

The process for opening a food service establishment begins with submitting an application for a food service license. Thorough plans, including detailed drawings, a complete menu, and the required fee must be submitted along with the application. This will initiate the review process. The plans will be analyzed based on their compliance with the Food Code and Arizona State Rule. Any deficiencies will have to be corrected before beginning construction. Once it has been determined that the proposal is in full compliance, a letter of authorization will be issued. At least one inspection will be performed before issuing the license to operate so the applicant can open the establishment. There is an additional fee for the license itself. Please click on the link to the left for the current fee schedule adopted by the Board of Supervisors. For the current Arizona Food Code and the current Arizona State Food Safety Rules please click on the following link. (http://www.azdhs.gov/phs/oeh/fses/foodcode.htm)

Wastewater applications:

The process for obtaining a valid septic license begins with submitting a Notice of Intent to Discharge. Thorough plans, detailed drawings, and site evaluation data are required along with the appropriate fee to initiate the review process. Once the review is complete, the county will issue construction authorization. The county will conduct a minimum of two inspections during construction. When construction is satisfactorily complete the applicant must submit a Request to Discharge. When this application is approved the county will issue discharge authorization.

• Wastewater permits – licensing the planning and construction of on-site wastewater systems through plan reviews and inspections
• Aquifer protection – ensuring groundwater is protected by enforcement of state law and administrative rule
• Children’s camps – licensing and inspecting yearly children’s camps to ensure the facilities are sanitary and youth are protected