The Board of Health (BOH) is responsible for safeguarding the health of the citizens of Jackson County. The Board consists of five members appointed by the Jackson County Board of Supervisors. The BOH supports the mission of public health by discussing health issues and concerns, soliciting input and sharing plans for public health, developing public health policies, assuring compliance with legal responsibilities and maintaining fiscal accountability. Board Meetings are held 6 times per year unless a special meeting is required.

Regular meetings are in January, March, May, July, September and November. Generally, on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7:00 P.M. 

Private Water Supply Well Program/Water Testing

Jackson County Health Department:

·         permits and inspections of new private water supply wells and their systems

·         private well abandonment and rehabilitation

·         regulates the construction and installation of all private water wells

·         collects water samples (water tests) from new and existing wells

Fee for the Service/Program

• New Well Construction & Well Renovation Permit Fee: $125.00.
• Water Testing (Nitrates, E. coli, Total Coliform) No Fee (up to three tests per home annually)

Iowa DNR Water Supply Wells:

https://www.iowadnr.gov/Environmental-Protection/Water-Quality/Private-Well-Program/Water-Supply-Wells

Grants to Counties: https://idph.iowa.gov/Environmental-Health-Services/Grants-to-Counties-Water-WellProgram#:~:text=The%20Grants%20to%20Counties%20(GTC,most%20precious%20resources%3B%20our%20groundwater.

Private Onsite Wastewater Program

Jackson County Health Department:

·         permits and regulates the design, construction and installation of all private on-site treatment systems installed in Jackson County

·         aids with complaints relating to sewage treatment and disposal system

Fee for the Service/Program

Septic Permit Residential (new or renovation) $125.00.

Iowa DNR Private Septic Systems: https://www.iowadnr.gov/Environmental-Protection/Water-Quality/Private-Septic-Systems

Time of Transfer Program

Iowa Code requires certain private sewage disposal system-related inspections to be conducted when certain property is sold or transferred. The code authorizes the Department to oversee this new provision and is compatible with the goal to prevent, abate, or control water pollution including the regulation of private sewage disposal systems for the protection of the environment and the public health and safety of the citizens of the state.

A Time of Transfer Report must be completed by a certified inspector. This report will then need to be submitted to the Dubuque County Health Department and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) by the certified inspector.

Animal Bite Investigations

Jackson County Health Department:

When a dog or cat bite occurs, Jackson County Health Department

·         shall require the animal to be quarantined for 10 days

·         Shall require the said owner of the animal to provide the department with a copy of the current rabies vaccination records

·         If the animal is current with rabies vaccination at the time of the bite, the animal shall be vaccinated at the end of quarantine**

**Per Iowa Code §351.33, every owner of a dog six months of age and over shall obtain a rabies vaccination for such animal. Rabies exposure consultation can also be obtained from the Center for Acute Disease Epidemiology: During business hours call: (800) 326-273

Additional Rabies Exposure Information:

·         https://idph.iowa.gov/rabies/information-for-public

·         https://idph.iowa.gov/Portals/1/Files/Rabies/Animal%20_Rabies_Chart_130618.pdf

·         https://idph.iowa.gov/Portals/1/Files/Rabies/IDPH_FastFact_Rabies_Testing_Iowa.pdf

Public Health Nuisance

Jackson County Health Department responds to nuisance complaints filed by the public by investigation.

Radon Program

Jackson County Health Department:

Radon gas is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer. This gas is inert, colorless, and odorless. Outdoors, radon disappears quickly and generally does not result in health issues. However, radon can get trapped indoors, resulting in radon exposure inside homes, schools, and workplaces. Breathing in radon can significantly increase your risk of lung cancer.

Fee for Service/Program

Radon Test Kit $12.00

Links and Resources

 Jackson County Radon Levels

Onsite Wastewater Assistance Program 
The Onsite Wastewater Assistance Program (OSWAP) offers low interest loans through participating lenders to homeowners for the replacement of inadequate or failing septic systems.

According to Iowa law, all septic systems, regardless of when they were installed, must have a secondary wastewater treatment system following the septic tank. For more information: https://www.iowasrf.com/program/other_water_quality_programs/on-site-waste-water-assistance-program/

Grants to Counties Water Well Program

About the Program:

The Grants to Counties (GTC) Program was established in 1987 when our legislature passed the Iowa Groundwater Protection Act to help prevent further contamination of one of Iowa's most precious resources; our groundwater. Grants are made available to local county health departments to provide financial assistance to their residents for private water well services.

The Bureau of Environmental Health Services oversees the financial administration of the GTC Program. The bureau works closely with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, who provides technical oversight of water well testing, water well closure, and water well renovation through the GTC program.

Water Testing

Jackson County Health Department is currently providing FREE well water testing for Nitrates, Total Coliform, E.coli and Arsenic.

Well Re-Construction Jackson County Health Department will help to identify all private wells in the county that are eligible for reconstruction cost assistance through the Grants to Counties (GTC) Program. Our office receives funding to provide reimbursement to owners for qualified well reconstruction costs (e.g., casing repairs, well cap repairs, pitless adapter repairs, and elimination of well pits).

Nitrate testing must be completed prior to reconstruction taking place (nitrate levels must be below 45 mg/L in order to qualify for reconstruction reimbursement). Please first call the Health Department to confirm that funding is still available and to confirm eligibility for reimbursement. In order for reconstruction payments to be processed, the Health Department must receive a completed Private Water Well Reconstruction Record (DNR Form 542-1519), together with a copy of the invoice or statement for the reconstruction.

Well Plugging

Jackson County Health Department receives funding to provide reimbursement to owners who plug qualified wells and/or cisterns.

Please first call the Health Department to confirm that funding is still available and to confirm eligibility for reimbursement. In order for reimbursement payments to be processed, the Health Department must receive a completed Abandoned Water Well Plugging Record (DNR Form 542-1226), together with a copy of the invoice or statement for the plugging.

Contact Elizabeth Townsend, Administrator at 563-652-1729 for more information.

ANIMAL BITE REPORTING

As stated in Jackson County Ordinance #59, it is the duty of the owner of any dog, cat or other animal which has been bitten or attacked

a person, or any person having knowledge of such bit or attack, to report this act to the Health Department or a law enforcement official.

Any law enforcement official receiving such information shall report it immediately to the Health Department.

To the extent such matters are not privileged, it shall be the duty of physicians and veterinarians to report to the Jackson County Health Department the existence of any animal known or suspected to be suffering from rabies.

Law enforcement officials, physicians, healthcare practitioners, and veterinarians should complete a Jackson County Animal Bite/Bat Exposure Record and forward the form to the Jackson County Health Department.

Animal bites and bat exposures can increase the risk of a person being exposed to rabies. For additional information about rabies, visit: https://idph.iowa.gov/rabies