Supervisors hear update on zoning and environmental health

Sandy McGrath, Wright County Environmental Health and Planning & Zoning Director, gave the Board of Supervisors an update this past Monday and current items in her department. Under the environmental area, she has two wells permitted but not yet installed along with nine septic systems waiting for installation. She has also done 25 well tests. “Wright is one of the counties allowed to do well disinfection if flooded, and will reimburse owners,” said McGrath. She shared testing numbers showing the county higher than the state average in elevated arsenic levels, while bacteria and nitrate levels are both below the state average.

Under emergency preparedness, McGrath participated in a recent tabletop exercise. “This was very good, and I took away some info that I need to look at and add to our plan as needed,” she said. She went to a training on evacuation and re-entry held in Mason City. “I may add a chapter to our county plan,” said McGrath. In epidemiology, she reports the county is still higher (service area) than the state but still better than previously. She plans on increasing awareness and education on both West Nile and Lyme’s as that time of year now begins.

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