Cass County Environmental Health

The Cass County Environmental Health Dept. is responsible for a wide variety of activities and pro-grams in Cass County.  In 1989 the Cass County Board of Supervisors (through the Cass Co. Board of Health) contracted with Guthrie County to operate its program.  This was a more cost-effective means of providing full-time services than hiring a full-time person in Cass County.Staff is available 8:00-4:30 (although we are out a lot) weekdays.  There is an answering machine there 24-hours a day as well.  We hope you will visit the Guthrie County site to learn of the programs and then con-tact us for details or to sign up for some program.      The two high profile programs operated are those involving septic systems and those involving wells and water.  A number of other programs are also administered by Guthrie Co.  These include radon aware-ness, unsafe dwellings, animal abuse, dumping, rabies/animal bites, swimming pool inspection, tanning bed inspection, tattoo parlor inspection, bioterrorism, and a number of other minor programs.      Anyone needing to install or replace a septic system in Cass County needs to contact the Environmental Health Dept.  After a percolation test is done, a permit is then issued, and an inspection is done before the system is covered up.  The Dept. works with the contractor and homeowner to see that a properly designed system is properly installed by the contractor.      To drill a well a State and County permit is required.  The well driller will work with the Environmental Health Dept. to see that there is compliance with these rules.  After the well is completed, a water test is done as part of the permit.  Heat pump wells also require a permit.      One of the most important parts of the program is the Grants To Counties program for providing cost share money to plug abandoned wells, rehabilitate existing wells, and to do water testing on existing wells.  The State provides each county with funds to utilize for these programs.  Cass Co. receives $15,000-$20,000 annually for this program.      For those who would like further information, you may go to the Guthrie Co. website for a wide range of web pages on all the above topics and many more.  It is at www.guthriecounty.org.  It should be kept in mind that these topics are specific for Guthrie County BUT in most cases are about 90% or more the same for Cass County.  The web pages cover lots of specific programs that Guthrie Co. has that Cass Co. does not but these are obvious in most cases.      To contact environmental health staff directly you may use any of the following:                                 Telephone:  641-747-8320                                 Fax:             641-747-8916                                 Email:         envhlth@netins.net                                 Mail:           Cass Co. Environmental Health                                                      %Guthrie County Environmental Health                                                      200 N 5th St       Courthouse                                                      Guthrie Center, IA   50115 Staff is available 8:00-4:30 (although we are out a lot) weekdays. There is an answering machine there 24-hours a day as well. We hope you will visit the Guthrie County site to learn of the programs and then contact us for details or to sign up for some programs.