Environmental Health

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3

Welcome to Environmental Health

Environmental Health programs and services strive to prevent human injury and illness and promote well-being by identifying and evaluating environmental sources and hazardous agents; and limiting exposures to hazardous physical, chemical, and biological agents in air, soil, food, and other environmental media or settings that may adversely affect human health.

Announcements

California Executive Order N-7-22 (PDF)

Butte County to Resume Accepting Water Well Permit Applications, Effective June 7, 2022 (PDF)

After placing a temporary pause on water well permits, pursuant to California Executive Order N-7-22, Butte County Public Health's (BCPH) Environmental Health Division, along with other County departments and in coordination with Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSA) within the county, have established a new permit review process, compliant with the order.

Review and download the Well Permit Application Packet (PDF).

Butte County Water Well Ordinance

Butte County Water Well Ordinance (Chapter 23B) has been amended with changes effective October 28, 2021, that discontinue the exploratory well process and allow exploration holes or borings. Please visit the Private Water Wells page for more details.

  • All Applications may be submitted via email

Drought Resources

For more information regarding drought resources, please visit the Water Resource Conservation page.

Rebuild Resources

COVID-19 Resources

Consumer Protection

The Consumer Protection programs strive to protect public health through the permitting and inspection of retail food facilities, public swimming pools and spas, body art practitioners and facilities, and organized camps.

Visit the Consumer Protection page for more information.

Solid Waste

Environmental Health is responsible for enforcing State minimum standards for solid waste storage, handling, and disposal; administering Solid Waste Facilities Permits (SWFP) and Closure/Postclosure Maintenance Plans; enforcing terms and conditions of SWFP's; and investigating complaints concerning violation of laws designated to the LEA for enforcement.

Visit the Solid Waste page for more information.

Hazmat (CUPA)

The Certified Unified Program is a suite of six state hazardous materials management programs consolidated and administered by a local Certified Unified Program Agency (CUPA). The CUPA inspects businesses or facilities that handle or store hazardous materials; generate and/or treat hazardous waste; own or operate underground storage tanks; store petroleum in aboveground tanks over State thresholds; and store federally regulated hazardous materials over State thresholds. The CUPA Program achieves compliance through education, community and industry outreach, inspections, and enforcement.

Visit the Hazmat (CUPA) page for more information.

Drinking Water

Environmental Health plays a significant role in the enforcement of State statutes related to drinking water through the Public Water Systems Program and the permitting of individual wells, both private, domestic, and agricultural. Additionally, Environmental Health provides education about proper water well maintenance and sampling to assist you in maintaining the health of your family and property.

Visit the Drinking Water page for more information.

Land Use & Wastewater

The Land Use section of Environmental Health looks at wastewater design and installation, well siting and permits, land divisions, use permits, and other related projects that involve septic systems and wells.

Visit the Land Use and Wastewater page for more information.

Citizen Participation

We believe public health is best served and our programs are most effective when they are developed and implemented with direct input from the stakeholders that we serve. Environmental Health currently collaborates with four independent citizen groups covering Food Safety, Hazardous Materials, Wastewater, and Well Drillers respectively.

Visit the Citizen Participation page for more information.