Environmental Public Health Officers (EPHOs) play a critical role in communicable disease prevention and response. This includes:

• • Investigating reports of communicable diseases and outbreaks
• • Assessing risk to determine the potential for further transmission
• • Following up with individuals or communities who may have been affected
• • Providing education about infection prevention and control (IPAC)
• • Supporting communities in identifying ways to reduce the risk of infection and prevent further spread. 

Our Water Quality Analyst in collaboration with the EPHO ensures access to clean and safe drinking water by collecting water samples to test for bacteria and unwanted chemicals. If test results indicate a risk to the public, the EPHO will recommend appropriate safeguards such as issuing a Boil Water Advisory to ensure the safety of the community.

Provide water testing supplies for water treatment operators in our First Nation communities to support routine monitoring and system maintenance. We deliver training for new Community Based Drinking Water Monitors, helping build knowledge and capacity to protect community water sources.

In addition, we offer education and resources on key topics such as:

• Protecting source water from contamination
• Understanding and selecting appropriate water treatment system options
• How to disinfect your well
• How to collect water samples
• How to read and interpret water sample test results

Environmental Public Health Officers:

• • Provide public health inspections of public and social housing upon request. Inspections may include the evaluation of indoor air quality, mold and other environmental contaminants, pest infestations, water supply and waste disposal, general safety and structural conditions and overcrowding. 
• • Review housing plans, renovations and new housing developments from a public health perspective to identify and mitigate potential health risks

Environmental Public Health Officers receive, review and inspection applications for:

• New septic system installations
• Septic tank replacement
• Repair of an old or malfunctioning system

They will also review plans for community wastewater treatment facilities and respond to reports of sewage spills, backups or overflows. 

When reviewing new applications or inspecting septic systems, we ensure all systems comply with Ontario Building Code standards. These standards are designed to protect groundwater source from contamination, ensure safe distances between septic systems and nearby bodies of water (e.g. lakes, rivers and streams) and reduce environmental and health risks associated with improper wastewater disposal.

Offer support through food safety inspections, education and outbreak response. This includes conducting inspections and offering recommendations in existing food premises and new food establishments; educating community members on safe food handling practices; offering Safe Food Handling courses to community members; issuing health alerts and product recall notices; based on information from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and investigating food-related outbreaks; providing guidance on how to reduce risk and protection during an outbreak.

• Assess evacuation centres and provides recommendations to support safe and healthy accommodations, including considerations related to: overcrowding, sanitation, sewage and wastewater, ventilation and environmental health conditions 
• Monitor drinking water, sanitation and environmental conditions to help identify and recued risks to the health and safety of evacuees and community members
• Assess food services and food safety practices, including safe food handling, storage, preparation, transportation and distribution of food
• Promote infection prevention and control (IPAC) practices to reduce the spread of communicable diseases
• Collaborate with community leadership, local social service agencies and other emergency response partners to identify and address environmental public health concerns related to evacuation centres, food safety, and water security  
• Conduct communicable disease surveillance and support public health responses to  infectious disease cases and outbreaks that occur during emergency situations

The EPH program conducts inspections and offers consultations to the following facilities:

• Daycares
• Schools
• Day camps
• Homes for the Elderly
• Residential and group homes
• Food premises
• Other publicly used facilities

The primary goal of these inspections is to offer advice, recommendations and education that support safe environments and promote Mino Ayawin, good health, for all.