The Environmental Public Health program engages communities and their physical environments to promote health and well-being. We provide service delivery to the 10 First Nation communities of the Rainy River District area. The Environmental Public Health program offers service provision involving the seven pillars of Environmental Health; Communicable Disease Control, Health Housing, Safe Drinking Water, Facility Inspections, Waste and Water Management, Food Safety and Emergency Preparedness and Response. Environmental Health is an essential component of Public Health and sees to foster clean, safe, healthy communities and ensures human and environmental Mino Ayawin (good health) for all. 

Services Provided:

• Communicable Disease Control
• Safe Drinking Water
• Healthy Housing 
• Waste and Water Management
• Food Safety
• Emergency Preparedness and Response
• Facility Inspections

Communicable Disease Control A communicable disease is a disease that spreads from one person or animal to another and they can be caused by viruses, bacteria, parasites and fungi. When those micro-organisms cause illness we called them pathogens. A person may get infected by:

• direct contact with a person carrying the pathogen 
• contact with contaminated fluids, such as blood, mucus, or saliva
• inhaling contaminated droplets from another person’s cough or sneeze
• receiving a bite from an animal such as dogs or bats (which may carry Rabies virus)
• insect bite carrying the pathogen such as deer ticks or mosquitos (Lyme disease bacteria or West Nile Virus) Safe
• consuming contaminated water or foods

EPHO’s will investigate reports of communicable diseases and outbreaks. Provide follow up and education on prevention and how to the reduce risk of becoming infected.

Safe Drinking Water

Collect samples of community drinking water and test for bacteria and unwanted chemicals in the community water. Review results and if any threat to the public water system, will recommend safe guards such as Boil Water Advisory to ensure the safety of the community. Provide water testing supplies for water treatment operators in our First Nation communities and provide training for new Community Based Drinking Water Monitors.

Provide education on water source protection, treatment system options, how to take water samples and interpret water sample results. on how to disinfect your well and reuse well water safely afterwards.

Healthy Housing

Environmental Public Health Officers:

• Provide public health inspections of public/social housing upon request. Inspections may include evaluation of indoor air quality, mold and other contaminants, pest control, water supply, solid and liquid waste disposal, general safety, structural defects and overcrowding.
• Review plans from a public health perspective for new housing developments and renovations.
• Provide advice, guidance and recommendations to Chief and Council, community workers and occupants related to all stages of housing: site and design, construction, occupancy and demolition.

Waste and Water Management

Environmental Public Health Officers will receive applications, review and inspect:

• A new septic system
• Septic tank replacement
• Repair of an old or malfunctioning septic system
• Review Plans of community wastewater treatment facilities
• Receive information about sewage spills or overflows

When reviewing new applications or inspecting septic systems, we are ensuring that the Ontario Building Code standards are met. The requirements in the code are set up in order to ensure that groundwater source is protected from contamination. We will also ensure that the minimum horizontal distances from the septic system to any bodies of water are met, so that our lakes and rivers are protected from contamination.

Food Safety

Offer consultations and complete inspections for food premises and new food establishments. Educate community members about safe food-handling practices, as well as provides notifications to communities of any health products and health hazard costumer recalls that have been issued by Canadian Food Inspection Agency.The EPHO also conduct food-related outbreak investigations and provide advice to the community on how to protect themselves during an outbreak.

Emergency Preparedness and Response

• Provides inspection of evacuation centres, makes recommendations and in areas of accommodation standards related to: overcrowding, sewage and waste disposal
• monitoring of water supply, air quality, sanitation
• food handling, storage, preparation, distribution of food
• appropriate infection and control practices
• Liaises with local social service agencies on areas of mutual concern regarding evacuation centres, food safety, and drinking water safety
• Provides surveillance and Public Health management of infectious disease cases and outbreaks

Facility Inspections

We offer inspections and consultations for the following Facilities:

• Day Cares
• Schools
• Day Camps
• Homes for elderly
• Residential and group homes
• Food premises
• Any other publicly used facility

The Environmental Public Health program's main goal is to provide advice, recommendations and education to ensure Mino Ayawin (good health). 

Accessing services:

Please contact Giishkaandago'Ikwe Health Services EPH Team for any Environmental Public Health Service inquiries Monday- Friday 8:00 am-4:00 pm at (807) 274-2042

• After hours On-Call 1-855-407-2676

Who is eligible?

We provide services to all ten Southern Treaty 3 First Nations Communities in the Rainy River District.