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CORTLAND COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH BACKGROUND AND HISTORY Since early civilization, man has struggled to manage his environment in an effort to protect his health. With the increase in urbanization, public water supplies became more important. Greater knowledge as to the causes of many diseases brought with it a developing technology to protect and purvey the water. Greater knowledge expanded man’s concern to protect his food supply. Sanitary inspectors have been in existence since the early days of England, when in 1297, they were responsible for keeping hogs out of the city, keeping the streets clean, and preventing the sale of certain spoiled meats and fish. When the plague occurred in the middle ages, it stimulated a great interest in public health laws to manage the environment and help control the spread of communicable disease. In the late eighteenth century a new breed of physicians developed. These practitioners of hygiene could be considered the first of what we call today “sanitarians.” It was around these medical sanitarians that the modern public health movement rallied. During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries many breakthroughs occurred in public health. Filtration of water supplies was first used in a public water supply in the late 1800's to combat outbreaks of typhoid fever. After the installation of sand filters in Lawrence Massachusetts, the death rate from typhoid fever dropped 79%. Chlorination was introduced shortly afterwards in 1908. Experience has shown that an improvement in the quality of the public water supply is followed by an improvement in public health. The introduction of chlorine in the public water supplies has prevented more diseases than any other single technological breakthrough. Other breakthroughs included the demonstration that yellow fever and malaria could be controlled by mosquito control, that anemia in rural areas of the U.S. was due to hookworm spread by the improper disposal of human excreta, and that pasteurization of milk prevented many diseases. January 1, 1930, the Cortland County Health District was created and by May of that same year, the first county milk and dairy inspector was appointed. Restaurant inspections were initiated in 1938. Many programs that the Cortland County Division of Environmental Health administers today have their beginnings from the core elements of public health and have a long history within the Health Department. The Division has continuously set its goals to help prevent disease through the management of environmental factors. During the seventies, major changes occurred in the environmental field nationally as well as Statewide. At the federal level, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was established in 1971. Soon after, amendments were made to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act setting a goal of making all the waters of the United States “swimmable and fishable” by 1983. The Toxic Substance Control Act was passed in 1976 creating the authority for the EPA to regulate the chemical industry. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) was passed in 1976. This changed the direction of Solid Waste Disposal. The Safe Water Drinking act was passed in 1974. The ---PAGE BREAK--- Act set national drinking water standards. In response to the changes at the federal level, the State expanded the NYS Conservation Department and renamed it the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC). The agency took over responsibility of Air Pollution, Water Pollution, and Solid Waste Disposal programs. In 1977, in response to the Safe Drinking Water Act, the State Health Department completely revised Part 5 of the NYS Sanitary Code. Other Sanitary Code Sections received major reforms including Part 14 (Food Service Establishments), Part 7 (Temporary Residences and Mass Gatherings), and Part 7-2 (Children’s Camps). Many years have passed since the major changes in the seventies. In the early nineties, enough time had passed that the various agencies could assess and evaluate the effectiveness of the major changes of the seventies. The Safe Water Drinking Act came up for reauthorization and many State Sanitary Code Parts received significant amendment including Part 5, Part 7-2, Part 14, Part 21 (Housing Hygiene), Part 6 (swimming facilities) and Part 67 (Lead Poisoning Prevention). The changes in Part 67 lowered the satisfactory blood lead levels in children from 25ug/dL to 10 ug/dL. Locally the County has had to respond to the changes. Over time, the Cortland County Sanitary Code has been revised by the Board of Health to reflect changes in knowledge and priorities. The Cortland County Division of Environmental Health has had a significant role in responding not only locally but also at the State level. There have been many accomplishments. Some of these accomplishments are as follows: 1. In 1971, the Division developed a Housing Program. 2. In 1977, 39 homes in the Hamlet of Cuyler were connected to a community sewerage system thus eliminating the problem of sewage on the ground throughout the Hamlet. 3. Also in 1977, the Village of Marathon finished the construction of a Wastewater Treatment Facility treating sewage formerly released into the river. 4. In 1979, expansion of the City of Cortland Wastewater Treatment Facility was completed and now handles wastewater from all the City of Cortland, significant parts of Cortlandville, and most of the Villages of Homer and McGraw. 5. In direct cooperation with the County Planning Department, so called “201" and “208" studies were completed. This information helped to complete the Comprehensive Sewage and Water Studies, which as a reference are still used today. 6. A comprehensive study of the Otter-Dry Creek Aquifer was undertaken. This study helped in the process of obtaining an EPA designation of a “Sole Source Aquifer” in 1988. A computer model of the aquifer has since been developed using a program developed by the USGS and data obtained from a series of monitoring wells drilled for this study. These wells are still used today to monitor the aquifer. 7. In 1981, the Cortland County Board of Health adopted Storage of Toxic and Hazardous Materials as Article XIV of the County Sanitary Code. The code was developed as a preventive measure to protect the County’s groundwater resources. 8. The Villages of Homer and Marathon are fluoridating their public water supplies. 9. In 1984, a Board of Health Order was issued to have all new Non-Community Water Supplies chlorinated. ---PAGE BREAK--- 10. In 1985, a Cortland County Board Order was issued to secure the Rosen Brothers scrap yard, stop all burning and waste disposal activities and develop a plan for cleanup. The Order eventually lead to the site being designated as a Superfund Site. 11. In 1986, the discovery of TCE in the drinking water of private residents in Cortlandville uncovered the first major groundwater contamination of the Otter- Dry Creek aquifer. It eventually resulted in a settlement with Smith Corona that included reimbursement for the extension of water lines, treatment equipment, and other expenditures related to the contamination. 12. In 1987, the Division began a Radon Program after reports indicated that Cortland County had the highest average of Radon in New York State. 13. Also in 1987, an infected food handler with Hepatitis A, who worked locally, was the first case in a regional outbreak of Hepatitis A. New guidelines were issued for food handling and the requirements for plastic glove use while preparing ready to eat foods was established. 14. In September 1989, two sites in the town of Taylor were designated as two of five potential Low Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Sites. The local response included a representative of Environmental Health sitting on the State Citizens Advisory Board. 15. In 1990, the Clean Indoor Air Act was passed with regulations restricting smoking in public areas. Since then the Adolescent Tobacco Use Prevention Act was passed and only last month, the County passed a self-service ban of tobacco products in retail stores. The Smoking Program has continued to grow. 16. In May 1992, the County had its first case of raccoon rabies. The Division responded that year with 409 interventions in animal bite incidents and the shipment of 231 specimens to the State Rabies Lab. Since then, rabies has become endemic in the area and will continue to be problematic in the County. 17. In 1996, the Division helped obtain grants to extend water mains to lower Cincinnatus eliminating numerous individual water supplies with poor water quality. 18. Also in 1996, the Division helped investigate a Outbreak associated with Apple Cider which received national attention. 19. In 1996 and 1997, new wells have been drilled for the public water supplies in the Villages of McGraw and Marathon. 20. in the Marathon water supply: In 1999 the parasite was discovered in the Marathon water supply during routine quarterly testing. A Boil Water Order was issued. We assisted the Village in securing a filtration unit from the State Emergency Management Office. As of March 2004, the Village is still using the filtration unit on line. We worked with the Village to find an alternative water source(s). Hopefully the process of obtaining the rights to the land, drilling the well, and treating the source will be completed soon. 21. *Harford Water District: Staff sampled water from a home in the Harford Water District due to a complaint of rust and concern with high iron in the water. Test results showed high iron. Staff worked on a cost report (estimated to be near $300,00.00) to replace the water main under low interest loans or grants. Grant ---PAGE BREAK--- funds were obtained in 2003 and work is progressing to replace the distribution system in 2004. 22. Radon Assessments - 2000: The Cortland County Division of Environmental Health partnered with and participated in the Central New York Coalition for Health Indoor Air. The goal of the organization is ‘ a healthy indoor environment for all individuals and families’. The coalition paid to have a representative from Cortland County CAPCO trained to provide radon testing and remediation. The testing and remediation service fee for County residents is income based and many times provided free of charge. Cortland County now has a local firm they can use for radon remediation and evaluation. 23. West Nile Virus: On August 21, 2000 we received our first report of a dead bird being diagnosed with WNV in Cortland County. Year 2000 staff time in WNV was equivalent to five full time equivalent positions working five weeks in the program. There were 327 dead bird reports received and 180 birds were sent in for testing. A web site was developed to assist in reporting dead birds and provide educational information to the public. Two staff members attended a 3- day training course on mosquito identification. Eleven light and gravid mosquito traps were obtained and mosquito surveillance was conducted and a contractor was hired to larvicide 2000 catch basins in populated areas. 24. 2001 - Drinking Water Program Enhancement Grant (DWPEG): The grant is to provide local health departments with funding to enhance existing drinking water program activities. This grant has allowed the CCHD to improve its water program activities through the addition of equipment and staff. 25. Virgil Salt contamination: In February 2001, elevated levels of sodium and chlorides have been found in private and public wells in the Town of Virgil. Surveying and mapping were done with the assistance of the Cortland County Soil and Water Conservation District. Significant levels of sodium and chloride were found in a majority of the 14 wells tested. Staff met with the three agencies that do road salting in the area, as this is the most apparent source. Staff continue to monitor the situation. In 2004, a well drilled in a deeper aquifer will be tested to see if there is an alternate source of water available. 26. Preble nitrates: In 2001, we began seeing a significant increase in nitrates levels in wells around the Preble area. The Division has taken a multi-faceted approach in addressing the issue. We are monitoring the nitrate level, ensuring public notification when levels exceed the maximum contaminant levels, working with other agencies Soil and Water, USGS, SUNY Cortland) to better understand groundwater patterns in the area, seeking out political support to fund nitrate/ groundwater studies, keeping nitrate issues on the front burner with state regulatory agency, and working with the Town and the public to address the issue. 27. Septage Disposal: The County Solid Waste committee is trying to work with the WWTP and DEC on septage disposal. We have been providing intermediary assistance, as there is a need for better disposal options for waste pumped from septic systems in Cortland County. 28. Cortlandville Well Head Protection District (WHPD). Staff met with Cortlandville Town officials, Cortland County Soil and Water, USGS and others to assist in development of new WHPD. This was an exciting endeavor to protect ---PAGE BREAK--- the source of water for their wells and the City wells. This was an initiative that this department and others have been promoting for the Town for several years. Staff also attended the Town public meetings to discuss/review the plan. The Town has yet to adopt the new zoning. 29. 2002 - Cortland County Fairground: For several years, the Division had been encouraging and facilitating the Cortland County Fairground to disinfect or connect to a public water supply. Prior to the Washington County outbreak in 1999, the drinking water supplies at Cortland’s fairground were connected to the Cortlandville water system, but the animal barn was still connected to a private well. In the wake of the 1999 Washington County fairground tragedy, new regulations require us to permit and inspect the fairgrounds. Staff provided expertise and facilitated the connection of the barn to the public water supply. Staff inspected the Cortland County Fairgrounds and sampled as required. A permit has been issued 30. 2007 – Community water supplies worked on developing well head protection plans. Our programs are as important today as they were in the beginning years of the Health Department. Managing environmental factors are an integral part of Public Health. Many accomplishments have been achieved but it is not a time to become complacent. New trends are developing and new emerging pathogens, such as E. Coli 0157:H7, and West Nile Virus. Well head protection plans for the community water supplies need to be developed and the Cortland Watershed Rules and Regulations need to be revised. Although the Division does not have full regulatory authority in all environmental issues, such as air pollution, the ability to respond from the local level is essential.