Environmental Health Division

Introduction:

The Environmental Health Division of the Ionia County Health Department seeks to protect public health through the application of inspection and permitting activities in the areas of food service, sewage disposal and water supply, housing, nuisance abatement, and solid and hazardous waste elimination. Interaction with the public and with other regulatory agencies provides opportunity for information to be exchanged, and for hazardous situations to be abated.

Personnel:

Toni Simmons – Administrative Secretary
Linda Stevens – Administrative Clerk
Ted Dohnal – Environmental Sanitarian I
Mark Novak – Environmental Sanitarian I
Rick Raterink, R.S. – Environmental Sanitarian II
Paul Lewis, R.S., MPA – Division Director

Telephone Numbers:

616-527-5340
616-527-8202 – FAX

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

FOOD SERVICE PROGRAM
All fixed food service establishments are licensed annually and inspected on a routine basis. Temporary food licenses are issued for gatherings where food is prepared and served outside of a fixed food establishment in conjunction with fairs, festivals, or other short-term events. Plan reviews and pre-opening inspections are conducted for all new establishments prior to construction and for existing establishments undergoing extensive remodeling. Fees must be paid prior to review. Consultation is available by phone and on site.

ON-SITE WATER SUPPLY
Permits are issued for new and replacement water wells. Application and fee are required prior to a site visit. Sampling is done for loan evaluations, consultations, or suspected contamination. Consultation by phone or at site is done upon request. Bottles are available for water testing.

ON-SITE SEWAGE DISPOSAL
Permits are issued for all on-site sewage systems including repairs. After application and fee payment, soil and site evaluations are conducted prior to issuance of permits. Consultations by phone or at site are done upon request.

LOAN EVALUATIONS
Inspections of existing water supply and sewage disposal systems are conducted for real estate transactions or refinancing of private residences only. Inspections are conducted after the request form and fees are submitted. A full written report with determination of on-site system conditions is provided.

NUISANCE ABATEMENT (COMPLAINTS)
Investigations are conducted regarding complaints ranging from improper sewage disposal and insect infestations to housing defects in violation of Ionia County Sanitary Code requirements. If a serious health hazard exists, condemnation of a home may be executed by this office. Complaints must be signed and dated prior to investigation. Sources of complaints are kept confidential.

MISCELLANEOUS
Inspections and consultations are done in the following areas:
¨ Campgrounds (full-time and temporary)
¨ Mobile home parks
¨ Public swimming pools
¨ Foster care and daycare facilities

OTHER AREAS OF LIMITED INVOLVEMENT:
¨ School environments
¨ Air pollution
¨ Lead abatement
¨ Radon
¨ Agricultural labor camps
¨ Septic tank cleaners
¨ Solid waste disposal
¨ Subdivision development
¨ Sites of environmental contamination
¨ Emergency preparedness
¨ Land-use patterns

 

-Fee Schedule