Genesee and Orleans County Health Departments

Environmental Health

The Environmental Health division provides a wide variety of services essential to the health, and well being, of all Genesee and Orleans County Residents. Service areas include: public water supply protection, community sanitation and food protection, private water and residential onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS), realty subdivision plan review, public health nuisances, residential lead investigations, rabies investigations, and enforcement of both the Adolescent Tobacco Use and Prevention Act (ATUPA) and the NYS Clean Indoor Air Act (CIAA).

Environmental Fees

Fees apply to many services provided by the Environmental Health Division, including permits and plans for camps, food service, tanning, housing, water, and more.

Rabies

The Environmental Health Division is responsible for investigating all reported mammal bites and saliva exposures to prevent the spread of the rabies disease to humans. Staff provides alerts, education and outreach and coordinates post exposure treatments for members of the community. In addition, they coordinate free rabies vaccination clinics for dogs, cats, and ferrets.

Permitted Facilities

The Community Sanitation & Food Protection program inspects and ensures the safety of facilities like fairgrounds, beaches, camps, pools, and temporary residences. We also regulate Food Service Establishments to prevent foodborne illness. Environmental Health issues permits and conducts inspections to ensure code compliance.

Public Water Supply Protection

Environmental Health ensures safe public water systems by overseeing the design and construction of water resources. The Health Department samples community and non-community water supplies to minimize hazards. We inspect drinking water wells for property transfers and permit new well construction.

Private Water Wells & Septic Systems

Environmental Health oversees the design and permitting of onsite wastewater treatment systems (septic systems). They assist homeowners with permits for new installations, repairs, and replacements, as well as inspections during property transfers.

Tobacco Enforcement

Environmental Health enforces the NYS Clean Indoor Air Act, ensuring smoke-free public spaces and worksites. They also enforce the Adolescent Tobacco Use Prevention Act, regulating tobacco sales to prevent underage access through retail compliance checks.