Radon
Radon Testing
Your home affects your health. If your home has radon gas, you may be at increased risk of lung cancer. You cannot smell or taste radon. The only way to know if your basement has a high level of radon is to have it tested. If you spend a lot of time in your basement, consider doing a radon test. The best time to test is between September and April.
Payment is required in order to receive the test kit. Call 1-866 450-0000 to order your radon test kit.
Radon Reduction
Steps to reduce high levels of radon are recommended only if the occupants of the home spend 4 hours or more per day in the basement
If the level of radon in your house is slightly elevated, you may be able to modify the air exchange rate through your heat recovery ventilation system.
If you have a very high result, additional action will be necessary.
Weeping tile is a good collector of radon gas when the soil is dry. You can use your weeping tile to prevent radon from entering your house. With this solution, the sump pit is sealed with heavy gauge plastic and caulking, or with a sealed lid on the sump pit. A pipe is installed from the sealed sump pit in the basement through an outside wall with a small fan attached. The fan draws the radon gas from the weeping tile around the house to the outside before it can enter your home. This system can reduce the radon level in a home by over 90%. It is recommended that you hire a certified radon mitigation contractor to perform this work. Contact your Public Health Inspector for advice and referrals.
If you do not have a sump pump, you can cut a hole in the concrete floor, remove some soil beneath the hole and fill the hole with crushed rock. Install a pipe in the rock with a fan that exhausts the radon to the outside. Seal the hole around the pipe. It is recommended that you hire a certified radon mitigation contractor to perform this work. Contact your Public Health Inspector for advice and referrals.
If you have a crawl space, concrete block walls or cracked basement walls or floors, you can cover the floor and walls with plastic sheeting and exhaust this space. If your basement has cracked in the past, it is likely that it will continue to do so in the future. In general, sealing basement cracks is not enough to lower high radon levels. It is recommended that you hire a certified radon mitigation contractor to perform this work. Contact your Public Health Inspector for advice and referrals.
Radon Reduction
Steps to reduce high levels of radon are recommended only if the occupants of the home spend 4 hours or more per day in the basement.
If the level of radon in your house is slightly elevated, you may be able to modify the air exchange rate through your heat recovery ventilation system.
If you have a very high result, additional action will be necessary.
Weeping tile is a good collector of radon gas when the soil is dry. You can use your weeping tile to prevent radon from entering your house. With this solution, the sump pit is sealed with heavy gauge plastic and caulking, or with a sealed lid on the sump pit. A pipe is installed from the sealed sump pit in the basement through an outside wall with a small fan attached. The fan draws the radon gas from the weeping tile around the house to the outside before it can enter your home. This system can reduce the radon level in a home by over 90%. It is recommended that you hire a certified radon mitigation contractor to perform this work. Contact your Public Health Inspector for advice and referrals.
If you do not have a sump pump, you can cut a hole in the concrete floor, remove some soil beneath the hole and fill the hole with crushed rock. Install a pipe in the rock with a fan that exhausts the radon to the outside. Seal the hole around the pipe. It is recommended that you hire a certified radon mitigation contractor to perform this work. Contact your Public Health Inspector for advice and referrals.
If you have a crawl space, concrete block walls or cracked basement walls or floors, you can cover the floor and walls with plastic sheeting and exhaust this space. If your basement has cracked in the past, it is likely that it will continue to do so in the future. In general, sealing basement cracks is not enough to lower high radon levels. It is recommended that you hire a certified radon mitigation contractor to perform this work. Contact your Public Health Inspector for advice and referrals.
Radon Testing
Your home affects your health. If your home has radon gas, you may be at increased risk of lung cancer. You cannot smell or taste radon. The only way to know if your basement has a high level of radon is to have it tested. If you spend a lot of time in your basement, consider doing a radon test. The best time to test is between September and April.
Payment is required in order to receive the test kit. Call 1-866 450-0000 to order your radon test kit
Safe Food
Program Overview
The purpose of the food safety program is to reduce the risk and prevent food borne illness. Public Health Inspectors educate and advise food facilities, investigate complaints and disease outbreaks and conduct safe food handling training.
The Food Safety Regulations, the Public Eating Establishment Standards and
The Sanitation Regulations apply to food service in Heartland Health Region. Public Health Inspectors are responsible for food safety at:
Restaurants, Delis, Caterers, Coffee Shops, Meat Processors, Slaughterhouses, Food Processors, Bake Shops/Bakeries, Grocery Stores, Convenience Stores, Liquor Outlets and Temporary Food Events.
Safe Food Handling Course
Heartland Health Region‘s Public Health Inspection program provides face to face and online food handler courses. It is recommended that all food handlers attend a food handling course and recertify their training every 5 years. At this time, Food handling training is currently unavailable. A list of approved food handling courses can be found at this link: Saskatchewan Food Safety
Food Processing
Under
The Food Safety Regulations, The Milk Pasteurization Regulations and The Sanitation Regulations, health regions inspect public eating establishments, milk pasteurization plants and food processing facilities, including slaughterhouses.
Individuals wishing to process food in their private home for retail sale to the public may have difficulty meeting the regulated requirements because the family setting, physical structure and types of environment do not lend themselves to commercial processing. For example, children and pets may contaminate food, household fridges and ranges can only accommodate small volumes and the necessary plumbing fixtures for hand washing or equipment washing is usually inadequate. As well, family members who are ill or convalescing at home may be a source of contamination of the food being sold.
Health regions may approve the sale of home prepared food if the food processing area, storage areas and washing facilities are contained in an area completely separate from the rest of the residence. The Food Safety Regulations will apply to this setting. Low risk processed foods prepared in private kitchens, may be sold through local farmers’ markets. Processors are encouraged to contact their public health officer regarding regulations and guidelines applicable to food sales at farmers’ markets.
Food Recalls
Opening a Restaurant
Prior to opening or renovating a food facility, contact your public health inspector. You will need to submit the premise application form, a proposed floor plan and a proposed menu to your inspector for approval, prior to construction and operation. Once the plan is approved, construction can proceed. An inspection by the public health inspector is required prior to opening. A Public Eating Establishment License will be issued, once the inspection is completed, and all requirements of
The Food Safety Regulations and The Public Eating Establishment Standards are met.
Restaurant Inspections Online
Temporary Food Events
Food service events in Temporary Settings are non-permanent, short-term food service events.
You do not need a license when you serve food only to family, friends, co-workers or club members at private potluck suppers, team wind-up events, workplace parties, weddings, anniversaries or birthdays.
Community Organizations, including community associations, service clubs, multicultural associations, church groups, schools, sports teams and recreational clubs are exempted from the licensing requirements of
The Food Safety Regulations when serving the foods listed below:
hot dogs;
- hamburgers and smokies;
- pre-packaged foods; and/or
- non-potentially hazardous food.
Open the link below to learn more about safe food service.
Contact a Public Health Inspector in your area to find out if you need a license. Select the link below for further information and when necessa
Events in which food is served to the public, including temporary events, may require licensing to serve or sell food to the public. Saskatchewan’s
The Food Safety Regulations apply whenever and wherever food or drink is prepared, served or sold to the public.
Open the link below to learn more about safe food service for licenced temporary events
Application Form:
Form for large events only:
Plumbing
Program Overview
All plumbing installations require a permit be obtained from Heartland Health Region prior installing plumbing works. This includes commercial buildings, residential dwellings and farmhouses. All plumbing work is to be done by a Journeyman Plumber. Homeowners may be able to do their own plumbing if their plumbing system will not be connected to a communal water system. For plumbing permits in towns and villages, your contractor may take out the permit at the town office and call your inspector to schedule an inspection For rural inspections, submit the permit application to your inspector 5 days in advance of the inspection. Permits are not required when changing fixtures (toilets, sinks etc.) but do apply when building a new system, and when changing vent or drainage piping.
Link to important information regarding the Adoption of the 2015 NPC and increase in permit fees.
Plumbing Permits
Completed applications with payment will be required in advance of all plumbing inspections. Payments will be accepted by credit card or cheque.
Rural Plumbing Permit Process
The process for rural plumbing permit application, approval and inspection will be as follows:
Step 1: Submit application and payment to:
Heartland Health Region
Rosetown Community Services
Box 1300 Rosetown, S0L 2V0
Fax: 306-882-6474
E-mail:
public.health@hrha.sk.ca
Step 2: Public Health Inspector reviews the application.
- Accepted applications – Contractor will receive a permit number.
- Rejected applications – Contractor will have application returned for resubmission.
Step 3: Contractor contacts the district inspector to book an inspection. The permit number and location must be provided during booking. Contractors must give at minimum 5 business days’ notice for inspections.
You may not schedule an inspection prior to permit approval and payment.
Step 4: Once the plumbing works is inspected and approved, the district inspector issues the completed permit to the contractor.
Urban Plumbing Permit Process
Plumbing permits are available at the following communities: Davidson, Kenaston, Outlook, Lucky Lake, Dinsmore, Loreburn, Beechy, Kyle, Elrose, Rosetown, Biggar, Perdue, Kinley, Landis, Unity, Macklin, Kerrobert, Luseland, Denzil, Dodsland, Coleville, Wilkie, Kindersley, Eston, Eatonia, and Plenty.
- Permit application are required for all plumbing works, including but not limited to: new construction, alterations to existing plumbing, and extensions.
- Applications must be obtained at the local municipal office.
- Only a journeyman plumber may obtain permits for plumbing connected to a municipal water system.
- Plumbing permits expire when there is no request for inspection within 6 months from the date of issue or the date of initial inspection. Notifications will be sent to contractors when permits expire.
- When major deficiencies are encountered, a letter documenting the issues will be sent to the contractor. Contractors will not be able to book further inspections until the deficiencies are resolved.
- Major/significant deficiencies requiring a re-inspection may be subject to additional fees.
Rural Water Pipelines
The purpose of inspecting the rural water pipeline connection is to prevent any cross-connections in your rural residence from contaminating the pipeline. Public Health Inspectors will inspect the check valve assembly and air gap between the water line and your cistern. All rural households require an inspection and completed permit prior to receiving water from the pipeline utility.
Onsite Sewage Systems
Program Overview
A properly constructed sewage disposal system ensures that wastewater is effectively treated. It is important to protect our families, neighbors, water supplies and the environment from health hazards that can arise from improperly treated sewage. Public health inspectors provide a variety of services related to sewage under The Private Sewage Works Regulations. Effective October 1, 2011, the regulations governing sewage have changed. The Public Health Inspection program provides the following services:
- Contractor and homeowner education
- Plan review, input and approvals
- Issuance and approval of permits
- Site inspections and final approvals of completed systems
Choosing a Sewage System
Sewage Permits
Completed applications with payment will be required in advance of all sewage inspections. Payments will be accepted by credit card or cheque.
The process for sewage permit application, approval and inspections will be as follows:
Step 1: Submit application and payment to:
Heartland Health Region
Rosetown Community Services
Box 1300 Rosetown, S0L 2V0
Fax: 306-882-6474
E-mail:
public.health@hrha.sk.ca
Step 2: Public Health Inspector reviews the application.
- Accepted applications – Contractor will receive a permit number.
- Rejected applications – Contractor will have application returned for resubmission.
Step 3: Contractor contacts the district inspector for an inspection. To book an inspection, the permit number and location must be provided. Contractors must give at minimum 5 business days’ notice to arrange an inspection time.
You may not schedule an inspection prior to permit approval and payment.
Step 4: Once the sewage works is inspected and approved, the district inspector issues the completed permit to the applicant.
Please note:
- Permit applications are required for all sewage works, including but not limited to new construction and any alterations to existing sewage works.
- Applications may be submitted with the Credit Card Payment Authorization Form attached.
- Sewage permits expire when there is no request for inspection within 6 months from the date of issue or the date of initial inspection. Notifications will be sent to applicants when permits expire.
- When major deficiencies are encountered, a letter documenting the issues will be sent to the contractor. Contractors will not be able to book further inspections until the deficiencies are resolved.
- Major/significant deficiencies requiring a re-inspection may be subject to additional fees.
Subdivisions
Public health inspectors receive referrals for new subdivision applications from the Community Planning Branch of Ministry of Government Relations. Public health inspectors review the existing and proposed water and sewage systems on proposed subdivisions. After the review is complete, public health inspectors provide comments to Government Relations. Ministry of Government Relations will then reach a decision if they should approve or reject a proposed subdivision.
In general, public health inspectors will consider on subdivision referrals:
- the water source
- the type of sewage system
- the size and location of the proposed parcel
- the surrounding land uses
- the distance of the sewage system from
- all property boundaries
- the dwelling(s) on the ¼ section
- any existing wells or cisterns on the ¼ section
- any dugout/watercourse/ravine
Please note that surface discharge systems and lagoons are not allowed on a parcel of land that is less than 10 acres in size.
In general, for a jet disposal/open discharge system, the following set-back distances apply:
- Building
- City, Town, or Village
- Recreation Areas
- Property Boundary
- Cut or embankment
- Ground water table
- Water Course or Well
New subdivision applications can be processed quickly if all of the required information and details are received with the application and plan.
Private Water
Program Overview
The purpose of the private water program is to reduce the risk of and prevent illness and chronic disease in people who use their own well water. Public health inspectors educate and advise people about well water quality issues. We also provide advice on the type of water treatment system that is appropriate for your needs. Information on cleaning cisterns and water coolers is also available.
Rural Water Pipeline Connections & Cisterns
The purpose of inspecting the rural water pipeline connection is to prevent any cross-connections in your rural residence from contaminating the pipeline. Public Health Inspectors will inspect the check valve assembly and air gap between the water line and your cistern. All rural households require an inspection and completed permit prior to receiving water from the pipeline utility.
It is recommended that you use a cistern in your basement that is 700 to 1500 litres or 150 to 300 gallons in size for your household needs. The chlorine in the water will dissipate quickly. When water is stored for a long period of time, the quality of the water deteriorates and may become unsafe to drink.
Water Sampling
It is recommended that you take at least one bacteriological sample per year for a private well. Samples for Chemicals and Health & Toxicity should be done for every private well at least once
Water samples can be dropped off at Rosetown Community Health Services Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday before noon. Contact 306-882-2672 Ext 3, Option 3 for water bottles and forms
Contact your local public health office for other sample drop off locations.
Water Treatment
Treatment options are available for wells to ensure that the water is safe to drink.
Well Maintenance
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Cistern Cleaning & Chlorine Monitoring
Cleaning and sanitizing of a cistern should be done once a year, or after any repairs or flooding.
Cistern Cleaning Procedure:
- Drain the cistern
- Wash the interior of the cistern with a pressure washer or a brush
- Rinse inside surfaces with a pressure washer or sponge
- Remove remaining water and sludge using a wet-dry vacuum
Cistern Sanitizing Procedure:
- Add chlorine while it is being filled. Use 0.5 litres of household bleach for every 1000 gallons of water
- Open your household taps one by one until you smell chlorine then shut the tap
- Let the chlorine mixture sit for at least 6 hours
- Drain the cistern. Direct the chlorinated water to an area away from vegetation to avoid damage. Do not drain the chlorinated water into a fish bearing water source. Do not direct the chlorinated water to a septic tank or mound
Check the concentration of chlorine in your cistern weekly. You should have at least 1.0 mg/L total chlorine and 0.2 mg/L free chlorine.
To maintain a chlorine residual in your cistern, add about 20 mL of 5 percent bleach for each 1,000 L of stored water (about 2 ounces of bleach for each 1,000 Imperial gallons). The entire water volume of the cistern should be thoroughly mixed and not used for at least 20 minutes.
Please be advised that chlorine does not effectively destroy some parasites. If you are hauling water from a dugout or shallow well, additional treatment will be required.
Public Water
Program Overview
The purpose of the public water program is to reduce the risk of and prevent illness and chronic disease in people who use public water supplies. Consultation and regulation of public water in Saskatchewan is shared by the Water Security Agency and the Ministry of Health Public Health Inspectors are responsible for water quality at water systems that have a flow of less than 18,000 litres per day
Bulk Water Haulers
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Drinking Water Advisory Information
Water Sampling
Water samples can be dropped off at Rosetown Community Health Services Monday and Tuesday before noon. Contact 882-2672 Ext 3, Option 3 for water bottles and forms.
Water Treatment
Treatment options are available for well, cistern & dugout water to ensure that the water is safe to drink.
Public Accommodation & Housing
Program Overview
The purpose the public accommodation and housing program is to reduce the risk and prevent illness and injury from public accommodations and housing.
Bed Bugs
Public Health Inspectors can assist you in identifying if you have a bed bug issue, and provide referrals to licenced pest control operators. Public Health Inspectors do not provide pest control services.
Hantavirus
Indoor Air Quality
The purpose of the indoor air quality program is to reduce the risk and prevent acute illness and chronic disease from indoor air contaminants. Public health inspectors provide consultation to homeowners and the public regarding indoor air quality. Public health inspectors provide recommendations regarding indoor air quality to the public, and assess indoor air quality in arenas every two years
Public health inspectors provide information to homeowners that are concerned with indoor air quality, radon, mould, carbon monoxide. We can conduct indoor air quality assessments, but do not provide free testing services
Itinerant Use Accommodations (Usually a Stay for Less than 30 Days)
Itinerant Use Accommodations (Usually a Stay for Less than 30 Days)
Public Health Inspectors administer
The Public Accommodation Regulations and The Itinerant Use Accommodation Standards. Using this legislation, Public Health Inspectors inspect, educate and advise licenced accommodations and investigate complaints. Regular inspections are conducted for hotels, motels, apartment hotels, vacation farms, bed and breakfasts, campgrounds, recreational camps, rental cabins and hunting and fishing lodges.
If you are renovating or building a new Itinerant Use Accommodation, a written plan needs to be submitted to this office for approval prior to construction and operation. Contact your local public health inspector for more information.
Private Dwellings
Public
Health Inspectors provide consultation and inspection services for owners of private dwellings under
The Public Health Act, 1994.
Inspectors follow up on complaints/concerns for issues such as lack of heat, lack of water, lack of repair, sewage back-ups, hoarding, absence of plumbing or other utilities, structural damage, mould, water infiltration and infestation of pests including bedbugs, cockroaches, rodents. Corrective actions can range from a report highlighting the fixes needed to condemnation of the dwelling.
Public Health Inspectors provide consultation and information on issues such as radon, mould, asbestos and other indoor air quality issues.
Rental Housing
Public Health Inspectors provide consultation and inspection services for rental accommodations to both tenants and landlords. Inspectors follow up on complaints for issues such as lack of heat, lack of water, lack of repair, sewage back-ups, hoarding, absence of plumbing or other utilities, structural damage, mould, water infiltration and infestation of pests including bedbugs, cockroaches, rodents. Corrective actions can range from a report highlighting the fixes needed to condemnation of the dwelling.
Public Health Inspectors provide consultation and information on issues such as radon, mould, asbestos and other indoor air quality issues.
Prior to an inspector conducting an inspection of a rental accommodation, the complainant will be asked to notify the other party of the issue in writing and provide proof that the request to have the issue resolved has not been addressed.
Disputes between a landlord and tenant are handled by the Office of the Residential Tenancies. Contact information can be found at
https://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/government-structure/boards-commissions-and-agencies/office-of-residential-tenancies
Swimming Pools & Recreational Water
Program Overview
The purpose of the swimming pool program is to reduce the risk and prevent illness and injury to the public at swimming pools, whirlpools and waterslides. Public health inspectors educate and advise pool operators, investigate complaints, investigate injuries and disease outbreaks, and conduct pool operator training. Public health inspectors are also responsible for reviewing safety plans for public pools to ensure that the plans protect the public. The Swimming Pool Regulations, 1999, the Swimming Pool Design and Operational Standards and the Whirlpool Design and Operational Standards apply to public pools in Heartland Health Region Public Health Inspectors are responsible for swimmer safety at: swimming pools, paddling pools, wave pools, whirlpools, water slides, diving boards, play equipment, and pool slides
Prior to opening or renovating a swimming pool, contact your public health inspector. You will need to submit a written plan, prepared by a professional engineer or architect to your inspector for approval, prior to construction and operation. Contact your public health inspector for more information. Opening a Swimming Pool Once the plan is approved, construction can proceed. An inspection by the public health inspector is required prior to opening. A licence will be issued after the plan approval and inspection meet the requirements.
Pool Operator's' Courses
Public Health Inspectors from Heartland Health region administer The Saskatchewan Swimming Pool Regulations, 1999. These regulations require that each person handling pool chemicals must attend a recognized Pool Operator’s training course. Each swimming pool is required to have at minimum one staff member who has completed the Pool Operators course. It is strongly recommended that operators recertify every five to ten years The training course is schedule is completed in the Spring and is held in May. Two courses are normally held. The fee for this training course is $60.00 per person. This payment also covers the cost of the training manual. For further information about the swimming pool course contract Heartland Health Region at (306) 882 2672 Option 3, Ext 3, or e-mail
public.health@hrha.sk.ca
Safe Personal Services
Program Overview
The purposed of the personal service program is to prevent the spread of communicable disease to the public through personal service procedures. Public health inspectors investigate invasive personal services on an ongoing basis, and non-invasive personal services on a complaint basis.
Invasive personal services include the following:
- Tattooing
- Body and ear piercing
- Electrolysis
Non-invasive personal services include the following:
- Hairstyling
- Manicures
- Pedicures
- Tanning
- Most esthetic services
Personal services facilities are regulated under The Public Health Act, 1994, and section 13 of The Health Hazard Regulations.
Opening a Personal Service Facility
Opening a Personal Service Facility
Communicable Disease & Animal Bite Investigations
Program Overview
The purpose of the Communicable Disease and Animal Bite program is to prevent the spread of communicable diseases and rabies through the administration of The Disease Control Regulations.
Communicable Disease Information
Public Health Inspectors follow up on any case or community outbreak of a Category 1 communicable disease and provide education and consultation services to those affected by these diseases. Inspectors will follow up on suspected outbreaks or when there is a laboratory confirmed communicable disease.
Follow up for an outbreak can include an investigation of a suspected outbreak complete with interviews of people who are infected with a communicable disease or who have an association with a suspected outbreak. This might also include specimen collection.
For single cases of communicable diseases, inspectors will perform a follow up interview with the person affected to try and determine the source, find out if there are other cases and will provide information on how to avoid contracting the communicable disease in the future.
Animal Bite Information
All animal bites are reportable in Saskatchewan as per The Disease Control Regulations in an effort to reduce or eliminate the risk of rabies transmission from animals to humans. When a bite is reported to a Public Health Inspector, follow up is conducted with the person bitten and with the owner of the animal involved (except where the animal is wild) in an effort to rule out the possibility of rabies.
Inspectors will want to know the animals vaccination status, the events leading up to the bite, if the animal was healthy at the time of the bite, if the animal is an indoor pet, outdoor pet, farm animal or wild animal and if the animal is still alive and if so can it be observed.
If the animal is a pet or farm animal, it is best to keep the animal quarantined (where possible) for observation for 10 days. It is strongly recommended that an animal not be put down at least until after the 10 day observation period. If an animal is still alive and healthy at the end of the observation period, then it will be known that the animal did not have rabies virus in the saliva at the time of the bite and this will avoid having to administer Rabies Immune Globulin (RIG).
If the animal is wild and cannot be obtained for observation or testing, a risk assessment, based on the interview with the inspector will be done by the Medical Health Officer to determine if RIG should be administered.
If the animal has died or been killed and the head is still in reasonably good shape, then the head may be sent in for rabies testing.
Contact Information & Map
Find My Public Health Officer