Environmental Health
Environmental Health is a branch of Public Health that is concerned with all aspects of the environment that may affect human health. It is the goal of the O'Brien County Environmental Health office to protect the environment for future generations of O'Brien County residents.
Services offered by Environmental Health:
Private Water Wells
- Free water tests on new and existing private wells are done by appointment.
The County will pay the following for plugging abandoned wells and cisterns:
- Up to $500.00 for wells
- This money is available through the Grants to Counties Program.
- Cisterns $300
Onsite Wastewater Systems
- Any new or existing homes that are not connected to the city sewer system are required to have an onsite wastewater system.
- Time of Transfer certified inspector lists are available.
Air Quality
Forms & Applications:
- 542-0062 DNR Time of Transfer future inspection waiver
- 542-0063 DNR Time of Transfer demolition inspection waiver
- 542-0064 DNR Time of Transfer Inspection future installation
- OSWAP Approval Form
- Septic Permit application [PDF, 90.01 KB]
- Well plugging form
Links of Interest:
- Iowa Health and Human Services – Environmental Health Bureau
- DNR Private Wells Program
- DNR Septic System Program
- State Hygienic Lab
- EPA
- Iowa Health and Human Services - Radon Information
- Healthy Homes
- Well Owner website
- National Ground Water Association
- Radon Buyers and Sellers Factsheet
- Healthy Homes 360 Website