Public Health Inspection

Fall dates for food safety classes are available in the brochure below.

The Public Health Inspectors department is committed to promoting good health. The team of health professionals provides programs to protect the public, which include these following areas.

Services Provided:

Drinking Water Quality
PHI's inspect and sample all Rural Municipal wells and drinking water supplies at public facilities that are not connected to municipal distribution systems. Although Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management (SERM) has jurisdiction over municipal distribution systems, the Region monitors the laboratory results from these systems. If a serious potential threat to public health is detected in any type of public water system the Medical Health Officer may issue a Boil Water Order to the municipality.
Public Health Inspectors also provide advice to private water supply owners on water disinfection and the interpretation of water analyses.

For more information, go to http://www.health.gov.sk.ca/chlorine-water-disinfection

http://www.health.gov.sk.ca/low-level-chlorine

http://www.health.gov.sk.ca/high-level-chlorine

Food Safety Classes
Provincial regulations require that all licensed restaurants must have at least one staff member per shift who has taken a food handler course. Public Health Inspectors conduct numerous one-day courses throughout the year and in various locations in the service area. Between 200 and 300 people receive the course each year.

Food Premises Inspections
Sun Country Health Region licenses Public Eating Establishments and food processing facilities such as bakeries and slaughterhouses. Public Health Inspectors inspect these facilities, as well as other food-related facilities that are not licensed, such as butcher shops and grocery stores. See http://www.health.gov.sk.ca/restaurant-inspections for summaries of the inspection reports.

Indoor Air Quality
Public Health Inspectors are primarily concerned with air quality in public facilities. Indoor ice arenas are inspected and carbon monoxide tests are conducted. Public Health Inspectors work with the Air Quality branch of Occupational Health when dealing with air quality issues in schools and work places. Public Health Inspectors also provide advice and educational material to homeowners on topics such as mould growth.

Plumbing Inspections
Provincial regulations require that plumbing permits be obtained for every new plumbing installation or where plumbing systems are substantially changed. Public Health Inspectors conduct inspections of these installations throughout the service area.

Private Sewage Disposal Systems
Plumbing regulations require that private sewage disposal systems be approved by Public Health Inspectors to ensure that water supplies are protected and health hazards are not created.
Please go to http://www.suncountry.sk.ca/service/50/88/sewage-disposal.html for instructions on the installation of an onsite wastewater treatment system.

Safe Housing and Accommodation
Under the Public Health Act, Public Health Inspectors can placard dwellings that are not fit for human occupation.
The Public Accommodation regulations apply to hotels, motels, campgrounds and bed and breakfast facilities, which are licensed by Sun Country Health Region.
The regulations also address the health requirements for public accommodations such as apartment blocks and rental homes.

Swimming Pool Safety
Sun Country Health Region licenses all public swimming pools on an annual basis. Public Health Inspectors conduct regular inspections where water quality is tested and samples are submitted. Public Health Inspectors also conduct swimming pool operator courses every year so every pool can have a trained operator, as required by provincial regulation.

Contact:

Estevan Public Health Box 5000-201 Estevan,SK S4A 2V6 Tel: (306) 637-3626

Weyburn Public Health Box 2003 Weyburn,SK S4H 279 Tel: (306) 842-8618